Time To Change American Zoning

Washington Post columnist Roger K. Lewis argues that antiquated zoning laws, often written by lawyers instead of planners or designers, need an extensive makeover.

1 minute read

March 8, 2006, 12:00 PM PST

By David Gest

"Urban design thinking and practice have greatly advanced over the past 30 years. Unfortunately, conventional zoning, the crude but all-powerful regulatory tool shaping cities, has changed little. Given the need to transform land-use planning and development, why is it so difficult to transform conventional zoning?

Impediments to zoning reform are predominantly political, social and economic, usually having little to do with design."

FULL STORY: Working Toward a New Understanding of Zoning

Saturday, March 4, 2006 in The Washington Post

Architecture Urban Development United States

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

Learn More

Advertise with us

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.