How zoning codes affect your life

KERA's Think

KERA

Society & Culture, 071003, Kera, Think, Krysboyd

4.8 • 861 Ratings

🗓️ 6 January 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It might seem like policy-wonk stuff, but zoning actually shapes the dynamic world around us. Sara C. Bronin, architect, attorney, and policymaker, and professor at Cornell University, joins host Krys Boyd to talk about how code dictates our daily lives from parks, housing, restaurants, and the architecture around us, and why it’s difficult to overcome inequalities built into the books. Her book is “Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World.”

Transcript

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0:00.0	The 2024 election was a lot. And now that we're past it, you might be avoiding political news
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0:28.7	I'm David Green.
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0:45.6	Thank you. Friday, wherever you listen to podcasts. This show is all about taking a different perspective on things we might have thought we understood.
0:50.8	We've talked about surprising developments in brain and behavioral science. We've taken on myths like the 10,000 steps rule, and we've considered how a long ago California law requiring triplet prescription forms shape the geographic boundaries of 21st century opioid addiction. So today I trust you will stick with me as we consider a fascinating counterintuitive proposition.
1:13.3	Local zoning laws are fascinating and highly influential determinants of where and how and how well we all live.
1:21.6	From KERA in Dallas, this is Think. I'm Chris Boyd.
1:25.7	If you are still skeptical, my guest might just convince you to start paying closer attention to the power of zoning laws to make our lives easier, more affordable, just generally better or generally worse if they're done badly or not updated as local conditions change.
1:41.0	Sarah C. Bronon is an architect, attorney, policymaker, and professor at Cornell University.
1:46.8	Her book is called Key to the City, How Zoning Shapes Our World. Sarah, welcome to think.
1:52.6	Thank you so much for having me. To start with the very most basic question, what kinds of entities
1:59.1	and activities are regulated by zoning laws?
2:03.3	Zoning regulates all kinds of land uses, including residential, commercial, and industrial uses.
2:12.3	It regulates the size and shape and bulk of buildings that can be built in any particular jurisdiction
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