The powers, and the limitations, of zooming are explained in a series of posts on Greater Greater Washington.
Bryan Barnett-Woods, a transportation planner for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Because "zoning codes also are often seen as a vehicle for all kinds of desired changes in a community," according to Barnett-Woods, they can be easily abused and misused. As Barnett-Woods argues, "shoehorning some types of changes in via zoning laws is a bad idea."
Thus Barnett-Woods produces two lists. One is a list of ends that do not suit the means of zoning. The second is a list of ends that do suit zoning well.
The list of what zoning can't achieve includes goals like forcing businesses to locate in an area, forcing business to leave an area, and limiting the number of people who live somewhere, among others. On the list of goals zoning can help achieve, Barnett-Woods includes regulating the use of land, regulating the form of buildings, and regulating the intensity of uses, among others.
FULL STORY: Zoning can do a lot, but it can’t do it all
Watch: Debunking Myths About Houston's Lack of Zoning
A video published last week by City Beautiful reveals the myths and misconceptions of Houston's land use regulation system.
Needed: Better Data on Local Zoning Regulations
It's hard to connect zoning to planning and development outcomes at a national level because very little data exists at that scale.
Zoning Didn't Stand a Chance Against the Economy in New York's Garment District
Zoning can only be so effective in holding off market forces, according to this column. New York City seems to have finally learned this lesson in the Garment District, but will it inform decisions in other parts of the city?
Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.
Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion
The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.
NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.
Office Conversion Sees No Sign of Slowing
The adaptive reuse of office buildings for residential and other uses will grow by as much as 63 percent in 2024 over last year.
Parked Cars Hamper NYC Trash Containerization Effort
Sanitation workers must manually collect bags from containers blocked by parked cars, slowing a process that is meant to be safer and more efficient.
Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI
Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.
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.
Los Alamos County
City of Culver City
Skagit Transit
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners