Zoning Matters: How Land-Use Policies Shape Our Lives

Summary

Zoning separates land by use, shaping our communities and lives. Initially created to protect public health, zoning has historically been used to segregate people, especially through racial discrimination. Though overt racial barriers are now illegal, modern exclusionary zoning practices still restrict affordable housing, limiting racial and economic diversity and increasing housing costs. This segregation negatively impacts local economies and public health, disproportionately affecting low-income people and communities of color. However, reforming zoning can promote inclusivity, with many communities reexamining their policies to encourage multifamily housing and walkable, diverse neighborhoods.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Zoning separates land by use, such as commercial, industrial, or residential areas.
• 🏘️ Zoning shapes not only the places where we live but also our access to housing, schools, and parks.
• ⚖️ Originally, zoning aimed to protect public health, like preventing people from living near factories.
• 🚷 Zoning has historically been used to segregate people, particularly by race in the early 20th century.
• 🛑 Although racial zoning was outlawed, exclusionary zoning policies still limit racial and economic diversity.
• 💰 Restrictive zoning raises housing costs, making it hard for low-income workers to live near jobs.
• 🏚️ Zoning often pushes lower-income, multifamily housing closer to highways and polluted areas, impacting health.
• 📉 Economic and racial segregation caused by zoning slows local economic growth and limits upward mobility.
• 🔄 Some communities are reexamining and changing zoning laws to allow more inclusive and walkable neighborhoods.
• 🌍 Thoughtful zoning can connect communities and provide better access to public resources.

Q & A

What is zoning?

Zoning is a method used by communities to separate land based on its use or form, such as dedicating areas for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes.

How does zoning impact communities?

Zoning shapes communities by determining where housing, schools, parks, and other facilities can be located, influencing how people interact with their surroundings and who has access to resources.

Why were zoning codes initially created?

Zoning codes were originally created to protect public health, such as preventing residents from living too close to harmful industries like factories.

How has zoning historically contributed to segregation?

In the early 20th century, zoning ordinances were explicitly used to segregate neighborhoods by race, treating different racial groups as incompatible, similar to incompatible land uses.

What changes occurred in zoning after civil rights legislation was passed?

Civil rights legislation outlawed overt housing discrimination, but explicit racial barriers in zoning were replaced with subtler methods, such as exclusionary zoning policies.

What are exclusionary zoning policies?

Exclusionary zoning policies restrict lower-cost or higher-density housing, which limits racial and economic diversity and increases housing costs.

How do restrictive zoning policies affect access to public resources?

Restrictive zoning policies drive up housing costs, preventing lower-income individuals from accessing affordable housing near public resources like schools, parks, and jobs.

What are the consequences of economic and racial segregation caused by zoning?

Economic and racial segregation slows local economic growth, reduces upward mobility for residents of all races, and negatively affects community cohesion.

How can zoning negatively impact public health today?

Zoning can push multifamily buildings closer to highways and areas with high air pollution, leading to higher exposure to pollutants for low-income residents and people of color.

How can zoning be reformed to benefit communities?

Communities can reform zoning to support inclusive development, such as allowing multifamily housing and promoting walkable neighborhoods, which can help connect people rather than divide them.

Where can people find more information on improving zoning policies?

For more information and resources on improving zoning policies, people can visit urban.org/zoning.