What's the matter with zoning?

It's the process stupid...

From an exchange on an e-list:

Zoning isn't the bad word. It's the process that matters. Zoning is another name for building and land use regulation. Focusing on robust processes is the rage in the business world these days. "If you get the process right, you'll get the decisions right."

The issue is that zoning should be about maintaining and enhancing the qualities that make places great. If that isn't what's happening, then that is what needs to be changed. And this is something I'll be testifying about in June in DC.

Smart codes are one way to get there. An iterative pattern book scheme is another tool.

I can't say I have much experience with smart codes, but one thing that has always made me hesitant is what I see as the lack of interest on the part of developers in achieving quality and context sensitive design, plus the issue of what people call aesthetics vs. a more organic sense of quality and beauty.

So smart codes always scare the s*** out of me thinking of all the lousy projects in DC, and the idea that smart codes provide general guidelines but not necessarily design review with teeth.

At least the New York City Zoning Handbook spells things out with photos and diagrams.


DC's zoning regulations are all text.