New York's Zoning Needs An Update

On the 50th Anniversary of New York City's 1961 Zoning Resolution, President of the Municipal Art Society of New York Vin Cipolla argues that New York "needs a new zoning resolution for a new era."

1 minute read

March 23, 2011, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Cipolla writes about the history of NYC's zoning, arguing that zoning is a powerful tool but NYC's current code is built on an "antiquated framework":

"...in 2011, we also have new challenges that need to be recognized and confronted. How do we develop communities in an environmentally sensitive manner? How do we guarantee that affordable housing is not simply the result of a lottery process? How do we retain vital industries? Include the public in decisions about their communities? Ensure that as residents move into a neighborhood, services such as schools are there to support them? Zoning cannot provide all the solutions, but it can be refocused to address these and other issues more comprehensively."

Thanks to Raju Mann

Sunday, March 20, 2011 in Crain's NY

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