‘City of Yes’ Zoning Initiative Announced to Support Business and Housing Opportunities in NYC

New York City’s new mayor, Eric Adams, has announced a new signature zoning initiative.

1 minute read

June 6, 2022, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Mayor Eric Adams last week announced the “City of Yes” zoning initiative, a collection of three citywide zoning amendments designed to support small businesses, creating new affordable housing, and promoted the development of renewable energy.

The three zooming amendments—"Zoning for Economic Opportunity,” “Zoning for Housing Opportunity,” and “Zoning for Zero Carbon”—follow the vision laid out in “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery” published by the Mayor’s Office earlier this year.

“These citywide initiatives will help us significantly to create jobs, to promote a more sustainable city, and to deliver housing everywhere,” said New York City Department of City Planning Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick. “And what’s more, we are committed to making our land use process work faster and better as we deliver results. With these changes, we’re setting the stage for a more adaptable New York City that moves with the times.”

Wednesday, June 1, 2022 in New York City Office of the Mayor

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

3 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

1 minute ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

One side of the image shows a Chicago bus stop without a bench, the second image shows the bus stop with a yellow and blue bench.

Guerilla urbanists are building DIY bus stop benches in Chicago

A before-and-after of one of the bus stops with a new bench. The new benches are not officially sanctioned or permitted, but the residents who placed them hope they will be the start of a network of DIY benches across the city.

2 hours ago - Block Club Chicago

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.