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Incremental Code Reform: Enabling Better Places

The Congress for the New Urbanism’s Project for Code Reform streamlines the zoning code reform process by providing local governments with place-specific incremental zoning code changes that address the most problematic barriers first, build political will, and ultimately create more walkable, prosperous, and equitable places.

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Course Info

  • Duration 11 video lessons (59 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2020
  • Trending Trending
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Browse Course Chapters

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    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 2 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    2.
    What is Walkable Urbanism?
    Chapter Duration 1 min
  • Chapter Locked
    3.
    Why Aren’t We Getting More Walkable Urbanism?
    Chapter Duration 5 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    4.
    Project for Code Reform
    Chapter Duration 5 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    5.
    The Incremental Code Reform Methodology
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    6.
    Introduction to Place
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
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    7.
    Specific Places
    Chapter Duration 9 mins
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    8.
    Introduction to Areas of Reform
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
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    9.
    Form, Frontage, Streetscape, Use
    Chapter Duration 14 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    10.
    Impact of Incremental Code Reform
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    11.
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Chapter Duration 7 mins

Course Description

Zoning and codes represent the very DNA of communities. They dictate how tall buildings can be, where parking goes, and how much landscaping is required. But many zoning codes in the United States are outdated and don't reflect current conditions, and the process of updating zoning codes can be a complicated, expensive, and time consuming process. 

The Congress for the New Urbanism’s Project for Code Reform streamlines the zoning code reform process by providing local governments with place-specific incremental zoning code changes that address the most problematic barriers to reform first, build political will, and ultimately create more walkable, prosperous, and equitable places. The Project for Code Reform accomplishes these goals while addressing the political, financial, and administrative realities of planners, elected officials, and planning commissioners. An incremental approach allows jurisdictions to set their own pace for zoning code changes, prioritize coding efforts, respond to the community’s vision and needs, and create opportunities for greater community learning and understanding.

In "Incremental Code Reform: Enabling Better Places," Congress for the New Urbanism President and CEO Lynn Richards and Placemakers LLC Principal Susan Henderson discuss walkable urbanism as well as incremental code reform methodologies that ensure context sensitive solutions. The course presents a series of solutions for rural, urban, and suburban contexts to allow planners to implement incremental improvements in their own localities. 

The course concludes with answers to a series of frequently asked questions:

  • Should all buildings be required to have mixed uses?
  • How rigorous should we be as we write codes for accessory dwelling units?
  • What is the impact of zoning code reform on displacement and gentrification?

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to assess the benefits and potential impacts of incremental code reform, and will be able to start the process of reforming outdated local codes and ordinances. 
 

Learn these skills

  • Land Use
  • Pedestrian Planning
  • Regulations
  • Urban Design
  • Walkability
  • Zoning Codes

AICP CM

This course is available for 1 AICP CM credit.

AIA CES

This is 1 LU.

CNU-A

This course is available for 1 CNU-A credit.

SACPLAN CPD

This course is approved for 1 SACPLAN CPD point.

Meet Your Instructor

Lynn Richards

Lynn Richards

Lynn is President of the Congress for the New Urbanism and an internationally recognized speaker on New Urbanism.

Meet Instructor
Susan Henderson

Susan Henderson

Susan is a Principal with Placemakers LLC and has led numerous code reform projects across North America, Eastern Europe and Asia.

Meet Instructor

Course Reviews

4.47
Jeff Randolph

Jeff Randolph

Satisfied
Kent Baird

Kent Baird

Extremely Satisfied
Lynn Richards, of the Congress for New Urbanism, and Susan Henderson, of Placemakers LLC, did an excellent job of simplifying the categories planners and zoning officials often get overwhelmed by. In some cases the categories help guide architecture and building permitting and in other categories help free up space for more public exchange; ie. rethinking parking altogether and for the sake of getting people back out into the engaging area of the fronts of buildings.
Mary Gerlach

Mary Gerlach

Extremely Satisfied
Cedric Southerland

Cedric Southerland

Extremely Satisfied

Course Reviews

53%
42%
5%
0%
0%
Robin Williams

Robin Williams

Extremely Satisfied
Mohammed Idris

Mohammed Idris

Extremely Satisfied
This course best for my dreams to develop my country
Michael Emerson

Michael Emerson

Satisfied
Craig Schlatter

Craig Schlatter

Satisfied
Excellent course overall. The quiz did not really match the course content, however.
osny jean 1

osny jean 1

Extremely Satisfied
Winnie russell

Winnie russell

Extremely Satisfied
It is a confusing as one considers various arc type of housing and commercial but it seems mixed use is not always the best and on street parking should not be shunned-correct?
Luraida Rivera-Maldonado

Luraida Rivera-Maldonado

Extremely Satisfied
Shivash Haricharan

Shivash Haricharan

Extremely Satisfied

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