Pittsburgh Moves Ahead With Zoning Changes for University-Adjacent Neighborhood

The implementation of a new master plan for the neighborhood of Oakland, home to the University of Pittsburgh, is moving forward despite controversy and a contentious community engagement process.

2 minute read

February 24, 2023, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A view from above of the Oakland neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

Josh Gulden / Shutterstock

On February 22, the city of Pittsburgh gave preliminary approval to a package of zoning changes, including new zones for mixed-use development as well as residential and office development, for the Oakland neighborhood. The changes do not represent a massive upzoning effort, however, as indicated by some of the opposition to the zoning changes, according to an article by Mark Belko for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

David Vatz, chapter lead of Pro-Housing Pittsburgh, a nonprofit that advocates for abundant and affordable housing, is quoted in the article criticizing the reduction of allowed building heights in one of the zoning changes. “I think what we would love to see for Oakland is it zoned for a ton of growth and a ton of housing. I don’t think they’ve really done that,” says Vatz in the article, adding, “We’d really like to see some leadership from the [Mayor Gainey] administration and council to really zoning these areas for new housing.”

According to Belko, the rezoning will implement the Oakland Plan, a ten-year master plan for the neighborhood approved in June 2022. Additional news coverage of the zoning implementation of the Oakland Plan is available from Pittsburgh City Paper and WESA. The coverage for WESA, written by Margaret J. Krauss, provides these descriptions of the three new zoning districts that will implement the Oakland Plan:

  • “Urban Center-Employment (UCE) would cover an area that includes the Fifth and Forbes Avenues corridor and a piece of Boulevard of the Allies bordered by Craft Avenue. It aims to “support life sciences, health care,” and other employment engines. Neighborhood-serving businesses are also encouraged on the ground floor. The proposed language emphasizes transit and, where parking is needed, sharing it between different building owners. Buildings would have to be at least 40 feet tall, but could reach a maximum height of between 85 and 210 feet, depending on location.”  
  • “Urban Center-Mixed Use (UCMU) would cover an area clustered around Boulevard of the Allies as it moves east toward Schenley Park. Buildings here would have to be at least 24 feet tall, but could reach a maximum height of between 65 and 185 feet, depending on location. The zoning rules are an effort to encourage the development of small businesses and commercial uses for the neighborhood, along with affordable and workforce housing.” 
  • “Residential-Mixed Use (RMU) would cover much of Central Oakland. It aims to create new housing, both through the restoration of historic homes and the creation of new apartment buildings. Retail space is also encouraged. Buildings here would have to be at least 24 feet tall, but could reach a maximum of between 40 and 95 feet, depending on location.” 

Thursday, February 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA