chicago skyline and lincoln park

How Zoning Shapes Cities, Communities, and Regions

A better understanding of the basic components of zoning, history and evolution of zoning codes, economic and political goals of plan implementation, and impacts on housing prices and production can inform improved planning outcomes.

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Course Info

  • Duration 8 video lessons (84 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2022
  • Trending Trending
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Browse Course Chapters

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    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 2 mins
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    2.
    ABCs of Zoning
    Chapter Duration 13 mins
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    3.
    Historical Evolution of Land Use Regulation
    Chapter Duration 15 mins
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    4.
    By Right Versus Discretionary Approval
    Chapter Duration 13 mins
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    5.
    Regulating Development Serves Multiple Policy Goals
    Chapter Duration 13 mins
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    6.
    Measuring Zoning Stringency
    Chapter Duration 12 mins
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    7.
    Impacts on Housing Markets, Economic and Social Outcomes
    Chapter Duration 11 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    8.
    Conclusion
    Chapter Duration 2 mins

What You Will Learn

  • Learn the typical structure of zoning laws
  • Understand why local governments regulate land use and development
  • Become familiar with the evolution of zoning over time
  • Explore techniques to measure zoning stringency
  • Understand how zoning can impact local housing markets
  • Discuss broader implications of zoning for regional economic outcomes

Course Description

The current state of U.S. zoning is under the microscope—a better understanding of the basic components of zoning, history and evolution of zoning codes, economic and political goals of plan implementation, and impacts on housing prices and production is necessary inform improved planning outcomes.

You’ve probably heard that many local and state governments around the United States are changing zoning codes by allowing granny flats and transit oriented development as well as reducing parking requirements. This course explains the regulatory structure intended for reform and why those reforms matter for the market and the built environment.

Taught by Jenny Schuetz—a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and one of the leading researchers, writers, and teachers in the field of land use regulation and its consequences for the housing markets of cities, neighborhoods, and regions—this course introduces the key concepts of zoning at a key moment in the evolution in this critical land use regulation’s history. 

Learn these skills

  • Development
  • Housing
  • Land Use
  • Plan Making
  • Regional Planning
  • Transportation
  • Urban Design
  • Urbanism
  • Zoning Codes

AICP CM

This course is approved for 1.5 AICP CM credits.

AIA CES

This course is 1 LU.

SACPLAN CPD

This course is approved for 1 SACPLAN CPD point.

Meet Your Instructor

Jenny Schuetz

Jenny Schuetz

Jenny is a Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro and an expert in housing policy.

Meet Instructor

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