Community and Regional Planning Program
Community and Regional Planning Program: Professional Projects
Document Type
Project
Date of this Version
4-29-2023
Citation
A design thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Architecture at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture
Major: Community and Regional Planning
Under the supervision of Professors David Karle and Yunwoo Nam
Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2023
Abstract
Most planners and architects agree that the current rate of growth and sprawl in American cities is not sustainable. This thesis will explore how form-based zoning codes can be used to implement policies that increase the sustainability of an existing suburb. Typically, form-based zoning codes are applied to either new subdivisions in a city or to an overlay district in a city which does not get to the heart of the issue. A solution is needed for the rest of the city, such as downtown, industrial areas and existing suburbs, to further increase the sustainability of the entire city. In this thesis, an existing suburb will be identified in Lincoln, Nebraska that is currently lacking sustainability measures including a variety of transportation options, a lack of mixed land use and low density. By applying a form-based zoning code to this suburb, this thesis will show how after the implementation of an evidence-based design, the sustainability of this suburb will be increased. The implication for planning is that implementation of form-based zoning codes shows the effect of planning policies on the sustainability of a city. The implication for architecture is that comprehensive design, guided by form-based zoning codes, are needed to create an evidence-based solution in order to increase sustainability in American suburbs.
Advisors: David Karle and Yunwoo Nam
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