What Is Zoning?

  • Made By CUP With:
  • Community Partners
  • Tags:
  • Land Use

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

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.

The workshop was developed with community members across the city.
Using the blocks and gameboards, participants plan a neighborhood,.


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.”

– Rolando Guzman, Deputy Director of Community Preservation at St. Nick’s Alliance

Check Out the Project

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

Want a Workshop?

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.

Contact us to find out more.

Get a Discounted Toolkit!

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.

Contact us to find out more.

Buy the Toolkit

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Buy the Guidebook $15

Click here to buy

Need Activity Sheet Refills?

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Special Thanks

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

Product Details

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.

Funding Support

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.