A Message From Our Chairperson

Greetings!

I’m pleased to update you on some changes at FBCI over the past few months. We moved our headquarters from Chicago to Washington, D.C. and brought on some new board members. We’ve also welcomed aboard Marta Goldsmith as FBCI’s new Executive Director. Marta, who has a strong urban planning background, will run the Institute’s day-to-day operations, allowing the Board of Directors and Executive Committee to devote more attention to vital strategic activities such as long-term planning, curriculum development, outreach and fundraising.

We continue to keep you apprised of, promote and celebrate newly developed and implemented form-based codes. In the most recent issue of our newsletter, we announce the 2016 Driehaus Form-Based Codes Award winners whose innovative form-based codes are helping to revitalize communities in Florida, Washington and Tennessee. An article by Steve Price, a founding FBCI board member, examines the code recently adopted by Chattanooga, Tenn..

I recently had the opportunity to discuss form-based codes and current and future planning challenges urban communities face during a panel discussion I participated in during the Global Cities in an Era of Change 2016 Symposium at Stanford University. To an increasing extent, the look and composition of urban communities is being shaped by the Millennial generation’s needs and lifestyle priorities; many seek to live, work and socialize in the very types of communities that are developed through form-based codes.

You’ll find articles on these topics, among others in the articles and blog sections under “News” on our website.

I am also pleased to announce that we have passed the half-way mark in our goal of raising $45,000. Donations made this year will be matched on a 2:1 basis the Richard H. Driehaus Lead Charitable Trust, up to a total of contribution of $90,000. Please consider making an individual, organizational or municipal contribution to help us continue our important zoning reform efforts. Thank you!