Zoning
Challenging the Permitting Record of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Zoning in the U.S. was originally intended to keep noxious uses out of residential areas. Around Houston, which famously lacks a traditional zoning system, polluting uses are still granted broad permission to operate in residential areas.
The Trouble With Equity
Equity is a fine value—but on contentious land use issues, equity can be used to support either side of the argument.
Chicago's New Approach to Air Quality Includes Zoning Changes
Improved air quality can help achieve equitable economic growth, according to Chicago's newly announced Air Quality Agenda.
More Housing Could Increase Affordability If You Build It in the Right Places
Focusing on zoning in hot-market urban centers misses economic realities—and major opportunities.
Another Way to Achieve Racial Justice: Zoning Reform
An opinion piece calls out suburban communities for perpetuating structural inequality and housing discrimination. Recently converted social justice advocates should focus their zeal on zoning reform, according to the argument that follows.
L.A.'s Crackdown on McMansions Hasn't Stopped Them from Going Up
Legislation to stop construction of McMansions is being undermined by a zoning loophole.
How Downtown L.A.'s First 'Re:Code' Community Plan Embraces Density and Affordability
Vince Bertoni addresses his city’s efforts to incentivize affordable housing and noted the responsibility shared at the state, regional, and local level for policy & regulatory change to incent provision of affordable housing.
Why Is Housing in the D.C. Area So Pricey? It’s the Land
It’s not "luxury" factors that make housing in Washington, D.C., extremely expensive.
What Is Mixed-Use Development?
Long an urban norm, mixed-use neighborhoods fell out of favor in the United States in the automobile age as single-use zoning became common. These days, mixed-use development is back in vogue, but implementation remains a challenge.
Zoning Code Update Makes the Nightly News in Cleveland
The potential of form-based codes to re-legalize the historic fabric of Cleveland is explained for the nightly news audience.
The Complex Story Behind the Failure of California's Upzoning Bill
SB 50 was often viewed as an attack on wealthy, single-family homeowners, but housing justice advocates also had issues with the legislation.
Crafting the Future of Zoning
Lee D. Einsweiler, principal and co-founder of Code Studio, offers practiced insight on the relationship between planning and implementation, as well as guidance for a fulfilling career navigating the two.
The Rent Gap Theory
Some urbanism commentators suggest that gentrification is the result of a "rent gap" between actual and potential rent. How should this theory affect zoning policy?
What California Can Learn from France About Tackling a Housing Crisis
As California continues to grapple with staggering housing issues, France's experience offers lessons about the kinds of housing policies and strategies that work.
Keeping Colorado Land from Development Could Cost $5 Million
In Golden, Colorado, residents want to keep a parcel of land as open space, but it could come with a hefty price tag.
Outgoing City Councilmember Suggests Zoning Overhaul in Philadelphia
Land use was a deciding factor in May when long-time Philadelphia City Councilmember Jannie Blackwell lost in a May primary election. Now, in a final month in office, Blackwell proposes the changes that some community members were waiting for.
Minneapolis Officially Ends Single-Family Zoning; Change to Take Effect January 1
The end of single-family zoning, a key component of a comprehensive plan adopted last year in Minneapolis, has now been set in code.
Zoning to Keep Manufacturing in Chicago
Planned manufacturing districts (PMDs) are a way to protect valuable land, but their effectiveness as an economic development strategy has been inconsistent.
A Tiny Lot for Sale in Vancouver, But There's a Catch
It seems like a tiny homes would be a good fit for such a small lot as this example in East Vancouver. But this lot is too tiny for even a tiny home.
Distinguishing the Housing Shortage from Gentrification
Gentrification "mutates particular neighborhoods" while scarce housing "squeezes entire regions," Devin Michelle Bunten writes. Conflating the two can lead to inaccuracies in understanding.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
