Across America, arcane zoning regulations and building codes prevent some of the most promising sustainable techniques and technologies from being built. A project based in Oregon aims to make land use regulations friendlier for greener building.
Michael Coren writes about the ReCode project, an initiative run by around 50 volunteers that, "works to legalize sustainable practices for our built environment
through mobilizing the grassroots to work directly with regulators to
transform codes and regulations."
Born out of Tryon Life Community Farm's frustrations in "trying to demonstrate innovative environmentally conscious design in Portland," ReCode has used a rigorous process to legalize green design one regulation at a time. "Their successes
so far (since 2007) include legalizing graywater reuse, site-built
composting toilets, and broadening the number of manufactured composting
toilets permitted for use in Oregon," notes Coren.
As he points out, such efforts aren't limited to the Pacific Northwest. "Cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, and New York are clearing away old codes to make way for new urban farms and renewable energy."
Read the full story: Your Green Dream House Might Be Illegal
DC energy efficiency rule requires buildings to upgrade their infrastructure or face millions in fines
Building owners and condo co-op members say the upgrades are often prohibitively expensive.
Florida Lawmakers to Reconsider 2024 Law Blocking Local Resilience Efforts
Legislators are proposing changes to a bill that froze all local land use and building code changes, including those designed to reduce risks from flooding and hurricanes.
Single-Stair Design Contest Envisions Human-Scale Buildings
Single-stair building construction is having a resurgence in the United States, where, for the last several decades, zoning codes have required more than one staircase in multi-story housing developments.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Malls are becoming the midtowns of the future
Mall and office park redevelopments are a generational opportunity to create new nodes of urbanity.
NYC breaks ground on anti-flooding infrastructure project
New York City's new system will reduce stormwater flows to local sewers by 90%.
One Kentucky town’s secret to affordable housing
The Smoketown Community Land Trust has already built seven affordable homes for community members.
Houston gains petal-shaped cooling infrastructure to make streets more ‘delightful’
The city has installed the pavilions along 15 blocks in Houston.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority