3 Good Reasons SimCity Should Adopt a Form-Based Code

Hazel Borys and Emily Talen have "just updated the Codes Study, the real life examination of the places where people are starting to change the ways cities are put together, by prioritizing walking and biking, over driving. These cities have legalized a mixture of compatible uses – something that’s been generally illegal to build for the last two generations. These mixed uses are allowed, provided the form of the building fits in with the character of the block. That’s why we call them form-based codes instead of use-based codes."

"Not all form-based codes in the Codes Study are created equal. Some are short and sweet. Others are long and comprehensive. Some are clear and direct, while others are complicated. But all of them have something to teach us about making our places livable and resilient."

Borys goes on to talk about 3 things that are essential in form-based codes, using SimCity as an illustrator.

SimCity Screen Grab: No Parking in the First Layer, Please