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Many municipalities are adopting form-based codes (FBCs) for advancing the sustainability of development and for facilitating sustainable design criteria that are difficult to achieve under conventional zoning codes (CZCs). The City of Denver recently adopted a citywide FBC. A case-study method was used to examine the extent to which Denver’s FBC differs from the CZC in integrating sustainable design criteria included in the LEED-ND rating system. The results indicate that Denver’s FBC addresses most LEED-ND criteria more strongly than does the CZC; however, some criteria deserve more attention. The paper concludes with recommendations for Denver’s FBC and for other municipalities that are considering zoning reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem, research strategy, and fi ndings : Advocates of form-based codes contend that these zoning regulations go beyond conventional zoning regulations in promoting sustainable development. We examine the extent to which form-based codes adopted by California cities differ from conventional zoning regulations in integrating 41 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development sustainability criteria (measured by the total number of criteria and the strength of each criterion included in regulations) using a multiple-case study of 26 cities in Southern California. We examine whether and how form-based codes adopted for specifi c development areas differ from the conventional zoning regulations they replaced and from the current conventional zoning regulations of matched cities. We find considerable variation among cities: Not all form-based codes in our study include more sustainability criteria to a stronger degree than conventional zoning regulations, but a) most form-based codes include more sustainability criteria than the conventional zoning regulations they replaced and those of matched cities, and b) the strongest form-based codes include more sustainability criteria to a stronger degree than the conventional zoning regulations they replaced and those of matched cities. We lack sufficient information to generalize; California, moreover, has many state laws requiring sustainable development. Our findings provide valuable insight for cities considering zoning reform to increase the sustainability of development. Takeaway for practice : Our findings suggest that form-based and conventional zoning regulations can each help cities integrate sustainability criteria into their development regulations. Our research offers positive examples of best practice in zoning reform and highlights missed opportunities for creating more sustainable communities. Cities considering zoning reform can consider these opportunities when reforming their codes to be more supportive of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem, research strategy, and findings: Form-based codes (FBCs), by definition, put more emphasis on built-form characteristics than do traditional zoning codes. Several municipalities are adopting FBCs as an alternative to Euclidean (traditional) zoning codes to achieve certain objectives; however, the extent to which these codes differ in integrating important planning and design criteria has not been examined. We use a case-study method and evaluate the extent to which the FBCs adopted by the City of Miami (Miami 21), as compared with the city's previous code (Ordinance 11000), reflects the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) criteria. We evaluate the contents of these codes on a 5-point scale for their concordance with LEED-ND criteria. The results indicate that Miami 21 generally goes beyond Ordinance 11000 in reflecting LEED-ND criteria; however, some of the important criteria, such as mixed-income diverse communities and certified green building, deserve more attention in Miami 21. Takeaway for practice: Planners in municipalities seeking alternatives to their traditional zoning code should not only consider replacing it with an FBC, but also to integrate planning principles that LEED-ND incorporates to strengthen the proposed code. They can benefit from the findings of this study when determining the extent to which certain built-form characteristics and LEED-ND criteria should be emphasized and in choosing an appropriate alternative to traditional zoning codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]