Breaking down NYC zoning so communities can have a say in local development

Community Partners

The toolkit includes a guidebook, a gameboard, and plastic building blocks.

Zoning law regulates land use across the city, and shapes buildings, blocks, and whole neighborhoods. It can be a tool for preservation or for rapid physical and economic development.
But how does it work? And why is it so controversial? CUP created What Is Zoning? to help communities answer these questions. The toolkit includes a set of activities that break down density, bulk, land use, and how proposed rezonings could affect neighborhoods.
Inside the toolbox are infrastructure tiles, a two-sided gameboard, and hundreds of colorful plastic blocks that stack up to break down the basics of zoning. Lay out a brand new city, or max out your lot while you build up to topics like inclusionary and contextual zoning (and the dreaded Floor Area Ratio). A guidebook uses simple diagrams to explain how zoning works, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to lead your own workshops.

CUP designed the toolkit in collaboration with designers Jeff Lai and Andrew Sloat and an advisory group of dozens of community organizations, advocacy groups, and policy experts interested in engaging their constituents with neighborhood zoning issues.
During the development of the toolkit, hundreds of community members across NYC participated in What Is Zoning? workshops in community meetings, classrooms, staff trainings for organizers, and many other locations.

“The city comes to communities using technical terms like FAR, and M1, M2. It intimidates people. These toolkits help people understand development. They democratize the process.”

The toolkit includes a guide, a gameboard, and hundreds of building blocks.

Check Out the Project

CUP is available to conduct workshops anywhere in the five boroughs with 3-4 weeks of notice. Some organizations may qualify for reduced rates depending on the ability to pay, audience reached, and level of customization. <a href="https://airtable.com/shrsQVMYw7pZPSdhm">Contact us</a> to find out more.

Want a Workshop?

CUP is committed to helping housing advocates, community boards, and others teach their constituents about land use and development. Get in touch to find out if you qualify for subsidized pricing. <a href="https://airtable.com/shrsQVMYw7pZPSdhm">Contact us</a> to find out more.

Get a Discounted Toolkit!

<a href="https://welcometocup.org/assets/images/What_Is_Zoning_Guide_English.pdf">Download in English ↓</a>

<a href="https://welcometocup.org/assets/images/What_Is_Zoning_Guide_Spanish.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Descargar en Español ↓</a>

Download the Guidebook

CUP
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/christine-gaspar">Christine Gaspar</a>
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/mark-torrey">Mark Torrey</a>
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/john-mangin">John Mangin</a>

Community Partners
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/asian-american-legal-defense-and-education-fun" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/asian-americans-for-equality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asian Americans for Equality</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/association-for-neighbourhood-housing-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Association for Neighborhood &amp; Housing Development</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/fifth-avenue-committee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fifth Avenue Committee</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/families-united" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Families United for Racial and Economic Equality</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/furman-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/good-jobs-ny" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Good Jobs New York</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/good-old-lower-east-side" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Good Old Lower East Side</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/habitat-map" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HabitatMap</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/hester-street-collaborative" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hester Street Collaborative</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/housing-conservation-coordinators" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Housing Conservation Coordinators</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/municipal-art-society" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Municipal Art Society Planning Center</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/pratt-area-community-council" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pratt Area Community Council</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/pratt-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pratt Center for Community Development</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/public-works-partners" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Works Partners</a>
<a href="http://159.89.181.18/people/spaceworks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spaceworks</a>

Designers
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/jeff-lai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeff Lai</a>
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/andrew-sloat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andrew Sloat</a>

Project Collaborators

<h4> Special Thanks </h4>
Clara Amenyo, Tess Bath, Pema Domingo-Barker, Sam Holleran, Jeff Kasper, Lize Mogel, Valeria Mogilevich, Oscar Nunez, Sarah Serpas, Matt Zebrowski, Vicki Been, Michelle De La Uz, Mark Foggin, Anne Frederick, Michael Freedman-Schnapp, Michael Heimbinder, Matt Klein, Brad Lander, Juan Camilo Osorio, Paul Parkhill, Frank Ruchala Jr., Lucas Shapiro, Lacey Tauber, Tom Angotti, Eve Baron, Bettina Damiani, Benjamin Dulchin, Richard Lee, Bethany Li, David Powell, Damaris Reyes, Lisa J. Servon, Susanna Schaller, Elana Shneyer, Ericka Stallings, Vicki Weiner 
<h4>Product Details</h4>
The toolkit Includes a folding game board, plastic blocks, infrastructure tiles, 100 2-sided activity sheets, and 146-page guidebook in a 9″ × 9″ × 19″ toolbox. 
<h4>Funding Support </h4>
Support for this project was provided by The Nathan Cummings Foundation; the Surdna Foundation; public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; and Sappi Ideas that Matter. Additional support was provided by Council Member Carlos Menchaca and Council Member Brad Lander. <h4> </h4>

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Hyperakt is a purpose-driven design and innovation studio that elevates human dignity and ignites curiosity. Since 2001, co-founders Julia Zeltser and Deroy Peraza, along with the Hyperakt team, have been partnering with change-makers moving society forward. We believe in design’s power to build a future filled with courage, optimism, and honesty.

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The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of design and art to increase meaningful civic engagement in partnership with historically marginalized communities.

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