Moderator: David Downey, Assoc. AIA, The American Institute of Architects, Washington, D.C.
Karen Parolek, Opticos Design Inc., Berkeley

      Using case studies from West Coast projects, including form-based codes (FBCs) developed for the towns of Hercules and Petaluma, Calif., we’ll analyze FBCs as a design-oriented approach to zoning that emphasizes the forms of buildings, streets, and public spaces rather than regulating land use through traditional zoning. Using a design-focused public participation process, FBCs create flexible development parameters and illustrate design standards to define a community’s vision.

Learning objectives:

• Examine how form-based codes produce a well-defined built environment and support mixed-use neighborhoods
• Assess the design-focused public participation process used to create illustrated form-based codes
• Develop urban design and visualization skills to help define a vision for the built environment.