The Dallas City Council ponders a form-based code, designed to encourage neighborhoods where driving isn't required to get around.
"Planners are eager for the city to implement what is known as "form-based zoning" because they think it will help move the city away from its history of developing around the automobile, with stores, homes and offices at far remove.
"After several hours of discussion Wednesday at a City Council meeting, Mayor Tom Leppert decided that the council will vote at its Dec. 10 meeting on a new form-based zoning ordinance.
"Despite significant differences between city planners and a broad-based coalition of developers, neighborhood representatives, preservationists and others, there is agreement that Dallas needs to make it simpler to build classic urban neighborhoods of the style seen in most major American cities.
"'We haven't created [in large numbers] the type of neighborhoods where people can live and work and shop without getting into their cars,' said Theresa O'Donnell, director of Dallas's Development Services department.
"For too long, Dallas zoning laws have been based on a building's use rather than how it looks and functions in connection with the buildings around it and the city in general, Ms. O'Donnell said.
"By using form-based zoning, developers would be able to build neighborhoods where the look and function of the buildings are more important than what happens inside of them."
FULL STORY: Dallas zoning proposal aims for urban living
Texas State Bills to Defund Dallas Transit Die
DART would have seen a 30% service cut, $230M annual losses had the bills survived.
Dallas Ditches Parking Minimums in 14-1 Vote
The sweeping city council decision removes set parking requirements from developments downtown, near transit, small businesses and more.
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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)