The Form-Based Codes Institute is in the zone

Tomorrow continues a month full of zoning-related webinars and releases for the Form-Based Codes Institute with the announcement of the winner of the fifteenth annual Driehaus Form-Based Code Award. An upcoming webinar on October 18th featuring experts from across development and economic research to discuss the Form-Based Institute’s first-of-its-kind report Zoned In: Economic Benefits & Shared Prosperity with Form-Based Codes follows, with the opening class of FBCI’s most popular introductory course, FBC 101: The ABCs of Form-Based Codes making its virtual debut the first week of November. Read on for more.

Form-Based Codes

In the zone with form-based codes

The results are in: places that adopt form-based zoning codes generally perform better economically than places regulated by more conventional, Euclidean zoning—and there’s evidence that the former can also help foster more equitable development, according to new research released today by the Form- Based Codes Institute at Smart Growth America.

Economic development Form-Based Codes

Zoned In: Economic Benefits & Shared Prosperity with Form-Based Codes

Measuring the impact of form-based codes to encourage smart growth Form-based codes are widely recognized as tools to improve the character of a place, encourage physical activity, and strengthen resilience to climate change. While most people who are familiar with form-based codes believe that the places these codes regulate tend to perform better economically than … Continued

Economic development Form-Based Codes

Barnstable and Yarmouth aim to use Opportunity Zones to promote walkable urban form


The towns of Barnstable and Yarmouth on Cape Cod worked with SGA’s Form-Based Codes Institute during the first-ever Massachusetts Opportunity Zones Academy to gain insight on how to take advantage of their designated Opportunity Zones to create a better sense of place within the two towns.

Form-Based Codes LOCUS Technical assistance

How can the change coming to suburbs be harnessed for good?

The notion of the suburbs is nestled deeply in the collective imagination in America, but as we wrote recently, “the suburbs of today aren’t necessarily the suburbs of yesteryear.” In a future that is increasingly urban, where suburbs are rapidly changing, what changes should they consider to stay prosperous and resilient? 

Complete Streets Economic development Form-Based Codes LOCUS Transportation Uncategorized

Webinar recap: Using an NCI charrette to create a vision for a form-based code


This November, we hosted “From vision to implementation: Using an NCI charrette to create a vision for a form-based code,” a joint webinar between the Form-Based Codes Institute and the National Charrette Institute. Speakers shared their experiences using NCI charrette workshops to develop form-based codes in Norman, OK and Arlington County, VA.

Form-Based Codes

New zoning makes New Rochelle’s vision a reality


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 is making all the difference by spurring new development that is predictable, expedited, and responsive to community interests.

Form-Based Codes