Zoning’s Watershed Moment

To succeed, code reform requires human connection.

May 21, 2024

Written By Gwen McCarter Nagle

It’s an exciting moment in the trajectory of zoning reform. All around the South, not to mention the rest of the country, change is happening. Places that just a few years ago felt caught in the web of bad codes now feel empowered by what they have achieved and inspired by the energy they see spreading near and far.

Several shining examples of the bold actions being taken to improve our cities are included in the articles that lie ahead. The second issue our print magazine is dedicated to the topic of reform, and our team is proud to feature a roster of practitioners and policymakers who have put themselves on the front lines of efforts from Arkansas to Georgia to North Carolina and beyond.

Whether they are talking about code reform or urbanism more generally, in the Spring issue of Southern Urbanism Quarterly’s print edition, you’ll find writers hitting on a few key themes:

the importance of small, incremental shifts on the path toward systemic change
the need for persistence in the face of opposition
the potential for momentum from unexpected yet potent sources
the role of creative, open-minded lines of thinking
the value of remembering key knowledge from the past as we work to create the future
the power of imbuing this work with human stories and connection

On seeing this issue go to print, a sense of optimism hangs in the air. That makes sense: It wouldn’t be possible for so many people to be so dedicated to this cause if hope were absent. And that hope comes through in the writing. Each through their own lens, the essays here illustrate just how bright the prospects are for the zoning code reform movement to flourish.

At the same time, a question demands our attention: What’s next?

For reform to reach a true tipping point, it will have to become a topic that matters to people outside of the core audience reading this publication. In other words, it has to be a kitchen-table issue.

So how do we make that happen? The short answer is by making technical conversations more personal. Have an academic discussion about why Missing Middle Housing is vital, and it’s possible (or even likely) that nothing will shift. But show how such reforms can improve quality of life for people, and they will have an easier time seeing themselves and others they know in the cause. When everyday citizens think about reform in terms that feel real to them, then the project stands a chance of becoming the tidal wave we want to see.

But there is also a long answer, one that involves tactics. What’s the best way to make a topic feel more human? For one example, we can look to the world of branding. Specifically: brand ambassadors.

As Tesho Akindele has written in this issue’s main feature, what if the right celebrity stood up for reform? Brands of all shapes and sizes know that connecting with their target audience is only possible if their message resonates. In many cases, for that to happen, all people really need is someone they respect and admire to nudge them in the right direction. A believable pitch from a trusted figure can turn an abstract concept into something relevant.

Zoning reform has come a long way. Achieving truly seismic shifts will not be easy, but we can bring widespread change within reach by taking a page from other movements that have benefited from charismatic leadership. By pulling these kinds of levers, the path to building better cities in the South will become that much more crossable.

This piece was originally printed as the introduction to Issue 2 of Southern Urbanism Quarterly. Gwen McCarter Nagle is editor-chief of Southern Urbanism Quarterly.