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 Meridian, MS. Additionally, Sydney Ormerod, Director at the Woman’s Resource Center and a Health Equity Zone (HEZ) Coalition member in Newport, RI shared her organization’s work advocating for more equitable access to green spaces, the production of workforce housing, and the inclusion of community benefit agreements in development projects in the North End.
Community-based organizations are critical in advancing zoning reform, especially when zoning reform aligns with the goals to advance health equity. Here are our top five takeaways from the conversation:
- Increasing residents’ quality of life means caring about their health outcomes: Our sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity are decisions that are often linked to the choices presented to us via our built environment, which is designed and regulated by zoning.
- Walkability can increase economic development and cultural identity: Walkable downtowns attract investment and spur the proliferation of a vibrant commercial area of local restaurants, art venues, and attractions.
- Zoning can be a wonky topic: Connecting the issues residents care about, including housing affordability, access to groceries, and transportation, can make the subject more tangible and build momentum for collective action.
- Relationship building with residents includes meeting people where they are: At corner stores, community centers, nail salons, bus stops, and food pantries, allowing people to talk in safe spaces on issues about their community that they care about and the future they want to see. And relationship building is key to moving the needle on health equity, whether via community engagement or participation in the civic process.
- Resident leadership is central to inclusive outcomes: Building leadership within the community ensures that everyone’s voices will continue to be heard. Whether it’s joining forums like boards, commissions, or councils, it’s important to seek opportunities for residents to gain a seat at the table where their perspectives can be elevated.
This webinar also marked the kick-off of the Zoning for Equitable Solutions and Thriving Communities technical assistance program. Learn more and apply >>