ForwardDallas Lays out Bold Vision, Lacks Teeth

The land use plan outlines ambitious goals for the city’s future, but offers little in the way of concrete changes.

2 minute read

July 14, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View of downtown Dallas skyline at night with tall tower lined with green lights

Sean Pavone / Dallas, Texas

In an article for Dallas Weekly, Sam Judy describes the potential of Dallas’ ForwardDallas land use plan, which is making its way to the City Council for final approval.

The proposal lays out a framework for “equity, environmental justice, and affordability for both renters and homebuyers,” but holds no regulatory power of its own.

“As the plan calls for ‘gentle density’ along transportation corridors throughout the city, single-family neighborhoods could be under threat of gentrification as middle housing such as duplexes and triplexes are integrated into neighborhoods within a mostly unregulated housing market,” Judy explains.

Critics of the plan also point out that it includes “minimal regulations on rental and housing fees” and uses a higher-than-usual base value for what qualifies as affordable housing.

A HUD representative said “ForwardDallas does not directly address affordable housing.  It does recommend accommodating more housing throughout the city, where appropriate, to provide more housing options for all.” Unlike other cities, Dallas is not implementing “policies addressing the inverse drawbacks [of ForwardDallas] to ensure housing remains accessible.” Texas law complicates local housing policy, as it prohibits cities from establishing rent controls except under specific circumstances.

The plan includes some wins for environmental groups. Changes to land use in West Dallas could push out industrial development and promote cleaner commercial industry instead.

For Judy, “The goals it strives for are too general, whilst laid within a framework too loose. It states ambitions that our current city government has never meaningfully ventured toward. Dallas lacks the necessary regulation to address issues outlined in the plan, such as affordability and equity.”

Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Dallas Weekly

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

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

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).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

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.

1 hour ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

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.

3 hours ago - The Washington Post

Bird's eye view of studio apartment design.

In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet

With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.

5 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive