Key to the City

Zoning codes have become the most significant regulatory power of local government, determining how we experience our cities. Yet zoning remains invisible. In Key to the City, legal scholar and architect Sara C. Bronin reveals the impact of zoning-for good and ill-in cities across the country, from Hartford to Baltimore and Las Vegas to Chicago. Outdated zoning codes have maintained racial segregation, prioritized cars over people, and enabled great ecological harm. As Bronin argues, once we recognize the power of zoning, we can harness it to instead create walkable and vibrant communities, resist the monotonous effects of suburban sprawl, integrate design elements that inspire delight, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable housing, public transportation, and healthy food. Key to the City demystifies the invisible force shaping our communities and puts forward a practical and energizing vision for how we can reimagine them.