In Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It, urban planner M. Nolan Gray takes a deep dive into the history of zoning, its consequences, and how we can create better cities by reforming or even eliminating it altogether.

Santa Barbara’s housing crisis continues to push city planners, developers, and community members to ask one pressing question: where should we build? In a region where space is limited and housing costs soar, balancing the demand for more housing with the need to preserve Santa Barbara’s character is challenging. This article from the Montecito Journal dives into potential solutions, looking at how urban infill, zoning adjustments, and thoughtful development could address housing needs while respecting the environment and community identity.

Urban planning is taking a data-driven approach to improve walkability and bikeability in several cities. Tools like close.city help visualize which areas are most walkable or bikeable, highlighting where new housing developments should be prioritized to encourage walking and cycling. This is vital for reducing carbon emissions, as transportation contributes significantly to local and national emissions.