Planning and Zoning New York City: Yesterday, Today, and TomorrowTodd W. Bressi Two unique events shaped the magnificent unnatural geography of New York City and created its sense of place: the Commissioners' Plan of 1811 and the zoning resolution of 1916. The first imprinted Manhattan with a two-dimensional plan, a rectangular grid defined by broad north-south avenues, multiple east-west cross streets, and by its standard units: blocks of two hundred feet by six hundred to eight hundred feet. The second determined the city's three-dimensional form by restricting uses by district, by limiting the maximum mass of a building allowed on a given site.This book addresses the fundamental challenge facing every American municipality: Can zoning - the basic tool of municipal land-use control - balance growth and equity? As New York plans for the future, the nation's foremost commentators on urban planning, architecture, land-use law, and design discuss the accomplishments of New York's zoning laws and explore alternative scenarios for guiding the city's future development.The chapters in this book were originally prepared for a symposium on the history and future of planning in New York City. The authors provide a skillful blend of urban history, architectural review, economic analysis, and social commentary. Contributors include such experts as Jonathan Barnett, Sigurd Grava, Frances Halsband, Jerold Kayden, Brian Kintish, Eric Kober, Michael Kwartler, Larry Littlefield, Norman Marcus, R. Susan Motley, Richard A. Plunz, Peter D. Salins, Richard L. Schaffer, John Shapiro, Robert A. M. Stern, Roy Strickland, Marilyn Taylor, Robert F. Wagner, Jr., and Carol Willis. This book is essential reading for planners, architects, historians, developers, and municipal officials concerned with guiding the future of America's cities. Its lessons are vital for every city in America. |
Contents
How the 1916 Zoning Law Shaped Manhattans | 3 |
Zoning and the New Horizontal City | 24 |
Zoning Revision and the Template of the Ideal City | 48 |
Copyright | |
9 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
activities added allowed amendments apartment approach architectural areas Avenue boroughs buildings built bulk central City Planning City Zoning Resolution comprehensive concerns construction contextual continue created density Department districts economic effect encouraged environment environmental established example existing facilities feet FIGURE floor future groups height historic housing impact important increased industrial issues land landmark less limited lower major Manhattan manufacturing mapped means ment Midtown needs neighborhoods open space Park percent permit physical planners Planning Commission policies preservation problems projects proposed regulations Report residential residents response restrictions result revision rules shape Side social space square standards street structures tion towers transit types urban vision waterfront York City York City Zoning York City's zoning ordinance zoning resolution