The article discusses the tensions surrounding land use as climate change intensifies natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. Local officials are burdened with balancing community concerns and the urgent need for new housing. In the wake of devastating fires in Altadena, residents grappled with loss while advocating for thoughtful planning to mitigate future risks. Experts suggest that while constraints on development may be unpopular, they are essential for community safety. Altadena's attempt to update its zoning plan foreshadows necessary shifts in building regulations nationwide to address disaster preparedness and housing demand.
Building regulation decisions generally fall to local elected officials, who have to balance their constituents' concerns about land use with the reality of a national housing shortage and growing threat of extreme weather.
The focus needs to be on: what can we plan for now? How can we know the danger we live in now, and try to improve it?
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