Last week, The Center for Zoning Solutions hosted a webinar that explored how eliminating zoning barriers can help to create healthier communities for all to live, work, and thrive. Participants heard from the Honorable John Robert Smith on his experience with smart growth and increasing residents quality of life during his time as mayor in … Continued
The Center for Zoning Solutions (CZS) is excited to announce the launch of the Zoning for Equitable Solutions and Thriving Communities (ZEST) technical assistance program. This free program directly supports community-based organizations working to change health inequities by supporting them through capacity building to reform local land use rules, improve health in their communities, and … Continued
Today, local planners, policymakers, and community advocates across the country face the challenge of promoting economic development while ensuring that small-scale retailers—and the community culture they provide—continue to thrive. Drawing on examples from various cities—including insights from ICF in Redmond, Washington—we’re examining how gentrification offers an opportunity to preserve small-scale businesses and ensure equitable outcomes. … Continued
Smart Growth America is excited to announce the release of a new U.S. Climate Alliance resource to help states and territories advance climate mitigation and resilience goals through their land use policies. Climate and Land Use Planning: A Policy Guide for U.S. States and Territories, produced with support from Smart Growth America and Climate Resilience … Continued
If communities want to seriously reduce their carbon emissions, they must reduce the amount of driving that people need (and want) to do. That means enacting zoning reform to allow for a range of housing units and typologies, incentivizing infill development, and updating excessive parking requirements. Critical emissions thresholds are already being crossed; To stave … Continued
Smart Growth America is proud to continue supporting local advocacy efforts for affordable housing and zoning reform with the launch of the 2025 Massachusetts Technical Assistance cohort. Generously funded by The Barr Foundation, this year’s program builds on the successes of SGA’s previous iteration of the MA TA program in 2022-2023 and the Opportunity Zones … Continued
Smart Growth America’s Center for Zoning Solutions is excited to announce a new initiative to support communities around the country to improve health equity through zoning reform led by the community. Generously funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this unique technical assistance program will provide community-based organizations with direct support to achieve the goals … Continued
On January 21, The Center for Zoning Solutions kicked off its new webinar series with a webinar on “Advancing Equity in Planning.” Participants had the opportunity to hear from the City of Kingston on its use of a form-based code to advance the city’s housing goals. Additionally, Elevated Chicago shared their plans for an equitable … Continued
As communities across the United States grapple with increasing economic pressures, the role of zoning is becoming even more critical in shaping not just the physical landscape but also the financial health of municipalities. Restrictive single-family zoning, in particular, has profound implications for infrastructure efficiency and fiscal budgets. The Center for Zoning Solutions (CZS), a … Continued
Equity begins with people—because planning that doesn’t center people isn’t truly equitable. Join us on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. EST for “Advancing equity through planning,” a transformative webinar hosted by the Center for Zoning Solutions (CZS) and Smart Growth America. This session brings together experts and advocates to explore how … Continued