Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to Harvard and MIT, just passed one of the most ambitious zoning reforms in the country, allowing buildings up to four stories tall by right across the city. As reported by Bloomberg’s Kriston Capps in “Cambridge YIMBYs Score a Big Zoning Reform in Harvard’s Backyard,” this move marks a major victory for the YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) movement and could serve as a model for communities nationwide struggling with housing shortages.
For decades, restrictive zoning laws have artificially constrained housing supply, driving up costs and making it harder for people to live in thriving, opportunity-rich cities. Cambridge’s reform directly challenges this pattern by making it easier to build new homes without the burdensome approval processes that have long favored the status quo. The city’s leaders and advocates see this as a step toward greater affordability, diversity, and sustainability in housing.
The new policy, officially called “A Better Cambridge,” removes many of the barriers to building small multifamily housing in a city where single-family zoning has historically dominated. It allows four-story buildings citywide, eliminates costly parking mandates, and provides density bonuses for projects that include affordable units. The goal is simple: create more homes in a high-demand market, especially near jobs, transit, and educational institutions.
This is exactly the kind of zoning reform that other cities should consider. While each place has unique housing challenges, the core lesson from Cambridge is clear—when cities allow more housing, they get more housing. Communities across the U.S. facing rising rents, displacement, and housing shortages should take note.
Of course, zoning reform alone won’t solve the housing crisis, but it’s one of the most effective tools cities have to combat scarcity and create more equitable housing opportunities. Cambridge’s bold move shows that change is possible—even in cities where entrenched interests have long resisted it. Others should follow suit.
