Name: Prospects for Zoning Reform
Author: Jenny Schuetz

Course Info

9 video lessons (96 Mins)
Published
2022
4.53

Preview Course

Browse Course Chapters

1.

Introduction

2 mins
2.

Housing Affordability Has Become More Politically Salient

7 mins
3.

Rationale For Reform: Economic and Social Equity

15 mins
4.

Rationale for Reform: Climate Impacts

13 mins
5.

Status Quo Defenders

10 mins
6.

State Government Roles in Housing Policy

19 mins
7.

Federal Government Policy Levers

14 mins
8.

Political Prospects for Reform

10 mins
9.

Conclusion

2 mins

What You Will Learn

Understand the political context that has raised the salience of zoning in local, state, and national policy debates
Develop a framework for understanding the roles state and federal governments currently play in regulating land use and housing production
Explore the housing policy toolkit available to state governments
Become familiar with recent state and local zoning reforms
Learn about the nascent pro-housing movement
Discuss prospects for broader national housing policy changes

Course Description

State and local jurisdictions around the country are pursuing various forms of zoning reform—from reducing parking requirements to allowing accessory dwelling units and legalizing Missing Middle Housing.

The “Prospects for Zoning Reform” course begins with a discussion of the political context motivating current debates about zoning reforms, especially the growing awareness about the consequences of the planning and zoning status quo for matters of racial equity, climate change, economic growth, and more.

The course will then examine several different approaches to reform, including an increased role for state and federal governments in regulating land use and setting policy direction for improved outcomes in the housing market. The course will also consider the sometimes challenging political prospects for zoning reform, by citing examples from recent legislative successes at both the state and local levels, the growth of the pro-housing (YIMBY) movement, and increasing media attention to the details of planning and zoning.