HOW ZONING SHAPES COMMUNITIES

THE GOOD, BAD AND HOPEFUL ASPECTS 

OF THE CENTURY-OLD TOOL THAT DETERMINES

EVERYTHING ABOUT THE PLACES WE LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

Yonah Freemark, a senior research associate at the Urban Institute, said zoning reform must address affordable housing, but cities and regions should not stop there.

Land use must also address preservation of nature, agricultural land and resources. 

“We shouldn’t just be talking about what we can build, but where we can build. 

We must look at infill zones versus the degree to which housing is being built in agricultural zones,” noting that development over farms not only decreases local food, but also increases municipal spending on myriad infrastructure, such as new roads, water, sewer, and schools, to serve suburban expansion into rural areas.”