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Peer reviewed2018Los Angeles region

Does Zoning Help or Hinder Transit-Oriented (Re)development?

Schuetz, Giuliano & Shin

Main finding

Transit-supportive zoning helped create development opportunities, but market demand, parcel conditions, public investment, and political support determined whether projects followed.

Most important limitation

Six station-area case studies reveal implementation mechanisms but do not identify an average causal effect of zoning.

From the publication

Inspect the authors' figure directly

Study chart · redrawn

Figure 2 · Zoning around two downtown Los Angeles stations

The paper maps how zoning varies within walking distance of major Los Angeles rail stations.

REDRAWN FROM STUDY DATAFigure 2 · Zoning around two downtown Los Angeles stations
Figure 2 · Zoning around two downtown Los Angeles stationsThe paper maps how zoning varies within walking distance of major Los Angeles rail stations. Values digitized from Figure 2 by classifying the mapped polygons; shares are approximate in the archived publication; minor reading error is possible.0%20%40%60%Approximate share of mapped station area (%)Zoning categoryCivic CenterPershing SquareCommercialResidentialIndustrial /…Open space

Source: Schuetz, Giuliano & Shin (2018), Figure 2; PDF p. 38.

Read carefully: This map is an illustrative case; the six-station study explains implementation conditions rather than an average causal effect.

How this study is used

Claims this evidence supports

Strong evidenceLegal on paper is not the same as buildable in practice.See the full evidence stack →

Policy connection

Solution guides informed by this study

01Make room for apartments, shops, and neighbors02Bring back the homes between a house and a high-rise03Let homeowners add a home04Stop forcing every home to buy parking06Set clear rules—and say yes on time

Reference

Schuetz, Giuliano & Shin (2018). “Does Zoning Help or Hinder Transit-Oriented (Re)development?.”

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