Mass timber buildings up to 18 stories high will now be allowed in the Music City.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper recently signed into law new ruled regulating mass timber construction in Nashville, adopting standards set by the 2021 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC) and the 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code (IFC). California enacted the same codes in July 2022.
Before the new regulations, Nashville allowed for a maximum building height of six stories for mass timber developments. The new standards “will allow certain subtypes of mass timber developments a maximum height of 18 stories,” according to an August 8 press release published by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.
Nashville already has a number of large mass timber buildings complete or under construction, including an 18,500 square-foot, two-story office building for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee; the 122,000 square-foot, five-story office building by Panattoni Development Company on Music Row; and the city’s largest mass timber building so far, a 200,000 square-foot Class A office space called Nashville Warehouse Co., completed by AJ Capital Partners in August 2021.
An article by Ryan Gandolfo for Capital Analytics Associates, published in November 2022, describes why Nashville is making space for mass timber.
FULL STORY: Metro Adopts Updated Mass Timber Construction Standards
Parks: Essential Community Infrastructure — and a Smart Investment
Even during times of budget constraint, continued investment in parks is critical, as they provide proven benefits to public health, safety, climate resilience, and community well-being — particularly for under-resourced communities.
EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites
The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.
Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)