Dave Amos at City Beautiful looks at how American and European zoning differs and how that has led to very different spatial outcomes. There are similar histories in how zoning was devised, but many of the approaches were quite divergent. What is clear is that European zoning is far less concerned about denser use types, especially for housing, and mixing of supportive uses in residential areas, instead commonly allowing such uses. In some cases, even light industrial uses are allowed in residential areas.
Stephen is a professional urban planner in Puget Sound with a passion for sustainable, livable, and diverse cities. He is especially interested in how policies, regulations, and programs can promote positive outcomes for communities. With stints in great cities like Bellingham and Cork, Stephen currently lives in Seattle. He primarily covers land use and transportation issues and has been with The Urbanist since 2014.