According to some napkin math with these figures[0], the three metro areas combined account for 11.7% of US GDP in 2012.
So yeah, I'm not sure what estimate they're using for the growth multiple from liberalizing land-use constraints, but if they're predicting a near doubling of the combined metro economies, it's safe to assume it's pretty high.
I do agree that land-use restrictions are currently holding all three cities back, my Friday night napkin math (read: probably wrong, way oversimplified math) just thinks their estimates are a little optimistic.
EDIT: Another question would be what's the time frame for this addition to GDP? 9% growth in one year is insanely great. 9% growth over ten years is insanely bad.
So yeah, I'm not sure what estimate they're using for the growth multiple from liberalizing land-use constraints, but if they're predicting a near doubling of the combined metro economies, it's safe to assume it's pretty high.
I do agree that land-use restrictions are currently holding all three cities back, my Friday night napkin math (read: probably wrong, way oversimplified math) just thinks their estimates are a little optimistic.
EDIT: Another question would be what's the time frame for this addition to GDP? 9% growth in one year is insanely great. 9% growth over ten years is insanely bad.
[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_GDP