Imagine some ugly, underused street in your town, marked by drab buildings, wide streets, and forbidding expanses of parking lot. If you have to go here at all, chances are you’d prefer to drive. Now imagine it remade into a place where you’d actually want to walk or bike. There would be broad sidewalks, trees, and streetfront buildings with ground-level windows. There would be other people walking around too.
Articles
May 7 2013
Three Texas communities illustrate FBCs ability to be responsive to today's development market.
May 7 2013
A discussion of critiques and misconceptions of FBCs from the points of view of various stakeholders.
Feb 25 2013
Hazel Borys discusses the biggest Achilles' Heel possible for a form-based code: failing to articulate a generally-accepted local vision.
Oct 24 2012
More Michigan communities are recognizing the many advantages of form-based zoning.
Oct 17 2012
Form-based zoning is starting to catch on with local governments in Michigan. There are key differences between form-based and conventional zoning which has led to its popularity.
Aug 1 2012
Form-based codes are clear and predictable place-based development regulations and processes that can save a community significant time and money. Communities can offer FBCs as an incentive to attract new investments and produce great places by making "the good" easy to build.
The Economic Development Journal is a quarterly publication of the International Economic Development Council, 734 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. For more information, please call 202-223-7800 or go to www.iedconline.org.
Jul 23 2012
A look back at the planning process for the successful Walnut Creek Apartments transit oriented development (TOD) and how it was positively shaped by form-based codes.
Jul 1 2012
A discussion of how FBCs are a meaningful alternative to standard or Euclidean zoning practices in Maine. This article includes a brief review of some cities and towns in Maine that have considered and implemented FBCs.
May 14 2012
A summary of the Duncanville, Texas case study discussed in the CNU 20 session entitled, "Form-Based Economic Development on Main Street."
Mar 1 2012
An editor reviews Emily Talen's new book, City Rules: How Regulations Affect Urban Form, noting that form-based codes have emerged as a powerful tool for city planners who want to stop the sprawl that’s resulted from bad zoning rules.