Community and Regional Planning Program
Date of this Version
8-2012
Abstract
Euclidean land use regulations that segregate different kinds of uses from one another can present significant barriers to achieving the land use-related principles of New Urbanism on a foundational level. This research evaluated the zoning ordinance of the city of Lincoln, Nebraska, with a special focus on the Community Unit Plan and Planned Unit Development processes, in order to determine its openness to mixed housing and mixed uses, using a combination of policy analysis and Geographic Information System (GIS). It was found that a number of Lincoln’s zoning districts as well as a significant amount of land are restricted in creating mixed uses and/or housing within the zones. The Community Unit Plans and Planned Unit Developments have produced some developments with a mix of land uses, but because the regulations for the processes are extremely flexible, they have not consistently produced high levels of land use diversity. Based on the specific zoning barriers to land use mix that were identified, a phased set of changes were recommended that were thought to be particularly suitable for Lincoln.
Advisor: Yunwoo Nam
Comments
A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Community and Regional Planning, under the supervision of Professor Yunwoo Nam. Lincoln, Nebraska: August, 2012
Copyright 2012 Rachel K. Jones