1. Stephen writes at The Atlantic Cities on Japan’s largely privatized rail system. He points out that free market reforms have benefited both cities and transit there.
2. For readers in the DC area, the Urban Land Institute is holding Capital Markets Interchange in McLean on November 10th. The event will focus on real estate investment in the current climate of political uncertainty.
3. Ryan Avent is on Econtalk this week. I’ve not yet read The Gated City, but I hope to read it this week and offer my thoughts on it next week. His conversation with Russ Roberts was great, and I was excited to hear that they covered some of the themes of yesterday’s post on opportunities for lobbying planning departments and city councils for land use privileges.
4. I am shocked, shocked by the increase in the estimated cost of California’s HSR. Check out The OC Register’s account of yesterday’s new developments compared to CAHSR blog’s for an interesting contrast in perspectives.
5. Four readers commented and two emailed me saying that they would be interested in my copy of The Instant City (reviewed last week). At random, I selected the second email that I received, so I will be sending the book to that reader shortly.