CodeNEXT is one of the most ambitious, and controversial, zoning reform projects ongoing in the country, with lessons to offer planners all over the country in code writing, public outreach, and planning outcomes.

The team working on the ongoing rewrite of Austin's land development code recently completed a series of outreach engagements that revealed a lot about the city's work on the project.
A series of four Facebook Live events, branded as CodeNEXT Live, gave a chance to use the social media platform to blast news and information about the land development code update to the public. Aly Van Dyke, from Austin's Communications and Public Information Office, interviewed four experts from different city departments on four key subjects that will influence the shape of the city's new land development code.
In the first live video, Van Dyke speaks with Matt Holton from the Watershed Protection Department on the subject of flooding. The second video called on Erica Leak from the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department to talk about affordable housing. Community and mobility are the subjects explored by the third and fourth video sessions, respectively. At the very least, that list of subjects and departments goes to show how multi-disciplinary planning can become, and also shows the many ways issues of planning can be connected with the interests of the public.
FULL STORY: Facebook LIVE Recap

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