Form-Based Codes Institute at Smart Growth America

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New zoning makes New Rochelle’s vision a reality

New zoning makes New Rochelle’s vision a reality

Rendering of New Rochelle’s Division Street under the downtown’s form-based code. (Image: Ideally New Rochelle, used with permission) New Rochelle, New York struggled for years to stimulate catalytic development in it’s downtown. Now, this New York City suburb is emerging as a walkable, transit-oriented hub for residents to live, work, and play. A form-based code […]

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Webinar recap: Zoning for the maker economy

Webinar recap: Zoning for the maker economy

COHAB Space brings together artisans to live, grow, create, showcase, and sell their products in High Point, NC. (Image: COHAB Space) This past July, we hosted “Form-Based Codes and Small-Scale Manufacturing,” a joint webinar between Smart Growth America’s Economic Development team and the Form-Based Codes Institute. Speakers discussed how different communities are using form-based codes […]

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(Re)coding communities for smart growth

(Re)coding communities for smart growth

There’s a secret weapon available to communities that want to modernize their zoning codes and help make smarter growth the norm. FBCI’s Codes for Communities is a wide-ranging technical assistance program at Smart Growth America that covers all kinds of zoning reform and guidance on form-based codes. In just two years, the program has had tremendous […]

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Announcing winners of 2019 Driehaus Form-Based Codes Award

Announcing winners of 2019 Driehaus Form-Based Codes Award

Today, the Form-Based Codes Institute at Smart Growth America honors three communities for stepping up to placemaking with the adoption of some of the most exemplary form-based codes in the country. The Driehaus Form-Based Codes Award is awarded by FBCI with the generous support of the Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust. Now accepting nominations […]

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Form-based codes: A means to equity in a compassionate city

Form-based codes: A means to equity in a compassionate city

The Columbia Pike form-based code is helping Arlington County, VA preserve or replace an estimated 1,300 affordable housing units that were built with public funds. Centro is a new mixed-use development that will add more housing and include a much needed major grocery store for the corridor. (Image: Credit Arlington County Government) A century of traditional […]

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A decade of lessons on good zoning

A decade of lessons on good zoning

Trinity Boulevard in East Fort Worth is currently a highway but will serve as a town center. Rendering courtesy Gateway Planning. The Driehaus Form-Based Codes Award has recognized exemplary form-based codes since 2008. Looking back at all the submissions over the years—more than 100—reveals how the practice of form-based coding has matured and evolved. Driehaus […]

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CNU’s Project for Code Reform: when a new form-based code isn’t in the cards

CNU’s Project for Code Reform: when a new form-based code isn’t in the cards

In September 2018, the Congress for New Urbanism published “The Users Guide to Code Reform” – the product of a two-year effort working with Michigan communities to develop tools that municipalities can use to reform their zoning codes to enable better quality develop. Susan Henderson and Matt Lambert – two of the coding and design […]

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What makes a good form-based code?

What makes a good form-based code?

Rendering of development under the University Neighborhood Specific Plan in Palm Desert, CA, winner of the 2017 Driehaus Award. (Image: Sargent Town Planning) It’s time to pick the nation’s top form-based code. While this type of zoning is catching on, some form-based codes can miss the mark if they deviate from best practices. That’s where […]

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Zoning for equity: raising all boats

Zoning for equity: raising all boats

Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth, TX, which was developed under form-based standards. Image: Randy Hutcheson. Conventional land use regulations have contributed to a great divide in our country, producing sprawling places that are marked by a stark separation of both uses and people. But form-based zoning is emerging as a creative tool for cities to […]

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