How Mixed-Use Zoning Is Changing City Development in 2026

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the rise of mixed-use zoning as a strategy for revitalizing American downtowns. They focus on the case of Nashville, Tennessee, where a 2025 zoning overhaul allowed residential units in commercial corridors for the first time. The hosts break down how developers are responding, the impact on retail rents, and why cities from Portland to Cincinnati are following suit. They cite specific data from the Urban Land Institute showing a 22% increase in mixed-use permits year-over-year in 2026. Lucas explains the financial mechanics of stacked uses — ground-floor retail with apartments above — and why it pencils out differently than single-use projects. Luna questions whether the model works in smaller cities and whether parking requirements kill the economics. The conversation closes on whether this marks a permanent shift in how we build cities or just another cycle. #MixedUseZoning #NashvilleDevelopment #UrbanLandInstitute #DowntownRevitalization #RealEstateDevelopment #ZoningReform #RetailRealEstate #MultifamilyHousing #CityPlanning #LandUse #CommercialRealEstate #ResidentialRealEstate #2026Trends #SmartGrowth #Business #RealEstatePodcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo