EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 23

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Thomas Barrie

Thomas Barrie, professor of architecture at NC State University and director of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Initiative, published a powerful op-ed in the Charlotte Observer in June titled: 

“To fight racism, throw out neighborhood zoning laws that lead to segregated housing.” 

He is interested in cracking the code that gives the reason behind why places look like they do and why disparity is built into the system.

“North Carolina has all sorts of laws, put in for dubious reasons, that inhibit or greatly limit affordable housing,” he said.

“We can’t have inclusionary zoning or rent control.

There are limits on cities creating their own housing laws, state law that limits the ability to create form-based codes. 

I’m an educator. It is my role to write op-eds and inform people about laws that limit justice, inclusion and equity.”