1. Code Talk 1
CHARACTER DISTRICTS

2. Auto-Oriented Urban Form
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
Auto-Oriented Urban Form
It’s not about architectural style – it’s about how a place functions
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3. Walkable Urban Form CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
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4. 1: Natural Protected from development in perpetuity
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
1: Natural
Protected from development in perpetuity
Includes bodies of water, wetlands, public open space, and conservation easements
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5. 2: Rural Open space not protected from development TDR sending areas
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
2: Rural
Open space not protected from development
TDR sending areas
May include floodplains, steep slopes, and aquifer recharge areas
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6. 3: Sub-Urban Least dense, most residential
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
3: Sub-Urban
Least dense, most residential
Single-family detached houses
Office and retail on restricted basis
Maximum 2 stories
Open space, highways, and roads are rural in character
Image Credit: CNU Image Bank
Image Credit: Jason Miller

7. 3: Sub-Urban Example CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
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8. 4: General Urban Primarily residential
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
4: General Urban
Primarily residential
Single-family detached houses and rowhouses on small-medium lots
Limited office buildings
Small-scale retail, typically at corners
Maximum of 3 stories
Open space consists of greens and squares
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9. 4: Urban General Example
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
4: Urban General Example
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10. 5: Urban Center Denser, fully mixed-use areas
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
5: Urban Center
Denser, fully mixed-use areas
Buildings include rowhouses, live-work flexhouses, apartment buildings, and offices above shops
Maximum of 5 stories
Open space consists of squares and plazas
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11. 5: Urban Center Example CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
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12. 6: Urban Core Most dense, mixed-use concentration of a region
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
6: Urban Core
Most dense, mixed-use concentration of a region
Buildings consist of rowhouses, apartment houses, office buildings, and department stores
Wide range of building lot sizes and heights
Surface parking lots not permitted on frontages
Open space consists of squares and plazas.
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13. 6: Urban Core Examples CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
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14. Stockholm, Sweden Transect
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
Stockholm, Sweden Transect
Character zones are a universal framework you can see everywhere, but the specific way they express themselves is very different from place to place.
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15. Washington, DC Transect
CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
Washington, DC Transect
T1 PRESERVE
T2 RESERVE
T3 SUB URBAN
T4 GENERAL
T5 CENTER
T6 URBAN CORE
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16. CODE TALK 1: CHARACTER DISTRICTS
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17. BUILDING TYPES STREET TYPES FRONTAGE TYPES
Code Talk 2
BUILDING TYPES
STREET TYPES
FRONTAGE TYPES

18. Building Types CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
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19. Building Types CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
Form Based Codes - Workshop

20. Building Types CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
Form Based Codes - Workshop

21. Building Types CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
Form Based Codes - Workshop

22. Building Types CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
Form Based Codes - Workshop

23. Building Types CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
Form Based Codes - Workshop

24. Street Types CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
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25. Approach to Building Form
CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
Approach to Building Form
Building Type
Private Frontage + Building Disposition +
There are basically two different approaches to regulating building form. One details specific building types that are allowed in each zone. The other defines private frontages and building dispositions for each zone.
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26. CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
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27. Private Frontage CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
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28. Building Disposition Edgeyard Sideyard Rearyard
CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
Building Disposition
Edgeyard
Sideyard
Rearyard
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29. How the Elements Combine
CODE TALK 2: BUILDING, STREET & FRONTAGE TYPES
How the Elements Combine
Rearyard +
Shopfront =
Main St. Mixed Use
Building Type approach
+allows you to specify requirements in greater detail
+no arcane concepts
--have to detail more, so longer codes
--almost impossible to name without referring to use
+/--ties building type to use
Private Frontage + Disposition
+categories are more clear
+less specification, so shorter
--uses unfamiliar language
+/--clearly separates regulation of form from regulation of use
+/--more flexible: less control of market, but allows stupid things
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30. Exercise
MAPPING DISTRICTS

31. Exercise: Mapping Districts
Identify areas on your map based on your intent to either protect, evolve, or transform.
Mark the general boundaries of each of these areas and indicate your intent.
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32. Exercise: Mapping Districts
Identify character districts. Each character district should be defined so that within the district, the future desired character for that district is consistent.
In a different color, mark the boundaries of each of these character districts and number each one.
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33. Exercise: Mapping Districts
Determine which building types should be allowed in each character district.
On each building type page, in the bottom table indicate which district that building type should be permitted.
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34. Exercise: Mapping Districts
What did you learn from these exercises?
What are your key takeaways?
What surprised you?
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