Form-Based Code

Emily Talen on Better Ways to Govern Land Use

Matt Bevilacqua talks shop with Emily Talen, whose new book explores the way land use regulation has shaped American cities and how it's all about to change.

July 5, 2012 - Next American City

Can the "Missing Middle" Generate Cincinnati's Thriving Re-Urbanization

Dan Parolek kicks off a series on recent efforts to revitalize the Queen City based on a strong foundation of coveted resources, including a variety of urban housing types.

May 18, 2012 - Better! Cities & Towns

In Appreciation of Nashville's Innovative New Downtown Code

Charlie Gardner writes about what can be found in, and more importantly what is excluded from, one of the most progressive code revisions to be adopted by a major American city.

February 23, 2012 - Old Urbanist

Rules for Planning Successful Retail Developments

Hazel Borys discusses how several key form-based guidelines for retail can encourage success in the most risky of all development types.

December 24, 2011 - PlaceShakers

How Would You Change the Zoning Code?

At last week's Municipal Art Society Summmit in New York City, one panel of experts attempted to answer just that. Neither overbearing zoning rules, contextual zoning, or the current environmental review process was left untouched.

October 19, 2011 - Streetsblog

Reintroducing Industry to the City

Industrial uses have long been banished to the edges -- but recently savvy cities are seeing the value of making them walkable again.

September 20, 2011 - PlaceShakers

Religion and Neighborliness

Ben Brown reads Robert Putnam's new book, which explores the ways in which religion in the U.S. causes greater intolerance but simultaneously a greater civic engagement and likelihood of helping others through charitable acts.

October 9, 2010 - PlaceShakers

Buffalo to Get Form-Based Code

The Buffalo News praises efforts by Mayor Byron W. Brown to completely rewrite the city's 59-year-old zoning code. The Mayor's initiative, dubbed the Buffalo Green Code, would place a new emphasis on sustainability and walkable neighborhoods.

May 6, 2010 - Buffalo News

Buffalo to Implement Citywide Green Code

Mayor Byron Brown announced that the city's new code will be the "Buffalo Green Code," supporting walkable, sustainable neighborhoods.

April 24, 2010 - Buffalo Rising

A Look Back at the Urban Impact of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz

As termed-out Mayor Manny Diaz leaves office in Miami, The Miami Herald's Andres Viglucci takes a look back at the impact Diaz had on the city's growth.

November 17, 2009 - The Miami Herald

Form-Based Code Approved in Miami

Commissioners in Miami have voted to replace the city's use-based zoning code with a form-based code, dubbed Miami 21, which had been in the works for years.

October 23, 2009 - The Miami Herald

City Tackles Antique Zoning Code

The zoning code of Alamogordo, NM hasn't been revisited since April of 1950. Today, the zoning rewrite group is finally updating the code and making the switch to a form-based code in the process.

September 21, 2009 - Alamogordo Daily News

CO Springs to Bring Downtown Back to Life

Colorado Springs planners have put two ambitious plans on the table: The first, a brand new Master Plan for its downtown, and the second, a form-based code.

April 10, 2009 - Colorado Springs Gazette

Hoover's Legacy: Bad Zoning Codes

As Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover championed the Standard Zoning Enabling Act. Rick Cole argues it is time to leave Hoover's legacy behind.

January 16, 2009 - Citiwire.net

Can Dallas Densify?

The Dallas City Council ponders a form-based code, designed to encourage neighborhoods where driving isn't required to get around.

December 10, 2008 - Dallas Morning News

Are Form-Based Codes 'Green Zoning'?

Albuquerque's new "form-based codes" could offer city planners another model for denser, more pedestrian-friendly growth.

September 11, 2008 - The New Mexico Independent

A New Face for Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix prepares for a facelift with a new form-based code and downtown master plan.

July 3, 2008 - The Arizona Republic

Form-Based Zoning on Main Street

National Trust Main Street Center Program Officer Nick Kalogersis, AICP gives a primer on form-based zoning and its relavance to traditional commercial district revitalization.

April 11, 2008 - Main Street News

Developing A TND Ordinance

When I opened my email this morning I was delighted to see that the City of Flagstaff unanimously approved a SmartCode based TND ordinance. The ordinance, created to make a recent Dover Kohl designed project called Juniper Point legal, allows a more compact, pedstrian friendly urban pattern to be established within the City. This is a crucial step in providing alternatives to business as usual sprawl development. Fortunately, more and more cities - From Jamestown, Rhode Island to Miami, Florida, to Montgomery, Alabama - are making smart growth a legal and easy choice.

November 29, 2007 - Mike Lydon

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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.