As Cincinnati embarks on an effort to rewrite its building regulations, city leaders hope a form-based code will provide the tools necessary to revitalize its neighborhoods, writes Carrie Whitaker.
With an estimated 700 Cincinnatians participating in workshops last week to help design its new form-based code, the city's Department of Planning and Buildings is hoping they've found the right tool to revive a city that has half the population it did 60 years ago, and a 17 percent housing vacancy rate.
Following the lead of planners in Nashville, whose work with form-based codes has served as a precedent for leaders in Cincinnati, the city's effort will kick off in four of the city's neighborhoods: College Hill, Walnut Hills, Westwood and Madisonville, utilizing a $2.4 million Community Challenge Planning Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Learn more about the project at the city's new Plan Build Live website.
FULL STORY: Cincinnati betting on new development code
Form Based Codes: Nashville Provides a Model for Charlottesville's Process
As Charlottesville, Virginia considers a new form-based code, the city of Nashville offers explanations and examples of the concept in action.
Controversies Compared: Rail vs. Bus Rapid Transit
A common perception says that rail is the most politically difficult transit investment. Yet a recent article examines the examples of Nashville and Cincinnati to claim that sometimes, political opposition is just about transit, period.
How Parking is Hampering Cincinnati's Resurgence
John Yung looks at how an overabundance of off-street parking spaces and outdated parking policies are harming Cincinnati's downtown rebound, and proposes three solutions to address the city's parking problem.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont