New zoning ordinances would focus more on how buildings look and fit into their surroundings, and far less on what goes on inside of them.
While residents and visitors may enjoy the pedestrian-friendly charms of Petoskey, Michigan, officials there are searching for better ways to preserve the town's rustic, village-like character. City planners say that the current, antiquated zoning laws guiding Petoskey's growth make their task harder because they favor autos over walkers and discourage redevelopment. Years ago that was not a problem, but now Petoskey is seeing strip malls and other signs of auto-dependency.
Thanks to Keith Schneider
FULL STORY: Worried About Sprawl, Michigan Town Considers "Form-Based" Development Rules

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
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Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research