Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Urban Zoning Code
   

For the City of Pittsburgh, Duncan Associates developed a new Urban Zoning Code. The previous ordinance was adopted in 1958 and anticipated that future development patterns would be lower in density and more “suburban” in character than those already established. It emphasized new building types that greatly changed the character of the existing urban neighborhoods. The need to rewrite existing residential districts was one of the key issues of the project. Existing regulations were at odds with the City's historical development patterns, requiring lot sizes and setbacks that were

far greater than traditional patterns. Pittsburgh's overall character is defined to a great degree by its diverse and unique residential zoning. The new Residential Zoning District regulations were drafted as a series of use and development subdistricts that could be mapped in various combinations to form complete zoning districts. By providing a broader range of potential districts and separating use from development characteristics, the aim was to give more flexibility and better "fit" than existing regulations. The regulations establish control impacts on nearby uses, establish visual criteria and manage traffic and parking. After four years of extensive public participation, the new code was adopted in August 1998. In an editorial, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette stated that “no longer will outdated laws make it difficult for Pittsburgh to use zoning to encourage innovation, mixed uses of land and buildings and a better environment for developers.” The new code “should spur creative development.” The editorial noted that the old code, reflecting times when “suburbanization was the rage” But lifestyles changed. Many homebuyers - singles, childless couples, retirees - prefer smaller, minimum-maintenance lots. More people seek the convenience and vitality of mixed-use neighborhoods, with houses and shops in easy walking distance.

Period:    April 1993 - August 1998               Contact:     John Rahaim
Team:      Duncan Associates                                          Project Manager
               Clarion Associates                                            206.684.0434
               Quick Ledewitz Architects