Form-based codes

So, since I am a geek, I found this really interesting.

http://www.formbasedcodes.org/definition.html

This is a link to an article on an entirely different way to approach zoning and codes. As anyone who lives in a city and works with these areas can tell you, zoning and codes is often incredibly frustrating. Despite being designed with the best of intentions, for a variety of reasons, businesses are often unwilling or unable to be started in a city because of a variety of zoning and code restrictions. Thus, zoning and codes often act as a deterrant to business recruitment and enhancement.

Form Based Codes is a different approach to this important area. Instead of specifically defining what a new building cannot do, Form Based Codes list general principles of what a building actually can do. Specifically, they concentrate on the relationship of a building to the rest of the street and public realm.

This is a creative approach to zoning that obviously has its positives and negatives. Click on the link to learn more.