New codes written for Gulf Coast

New Urban News Article with image, 12/1/2005

The Mississippi Renewal Forum provided one of the first opportunities to introduce an entire region to the SmartCode and the idea of Transect-based and form-based coding. In the weeks since the Forum ended, a number of officials along the Gulf Coast have shown strong interest in having their communities implement codes recommended by new urbanist planning teams.

Many of the region’s cities or counties have sent planners or elected officials to training sessions on the SmartCode or form-based codes. “We’re very excited about the SmartCode,” said Connie Moran, mayor of Ocean Springs, which sent an alderman, a planning commission member, and the city’s planning director to a workshop of the Form-Based Codes Institute in Alexandria, Virginia.

“The whole charrette process has elevated the consciousness of elected officials about how design impacts commerce and quality of life in our communities,” Moran said. “Before, we never really thought of it. We thought different uses were not supposed to touch each other.” Thanks to the Forum and subsequent discussions, municipal leaders such as Moran have had their eyes opened to the virtues of mixing commercial, residential, and other activities.