Form-Based Codes 101 - Thurs, April 9

Have you ever wondered why some places in a city just feel right, while others put you on edge? Why some places inspire you, while others drag you down? Why some places make you want to get out and walk and see the sights, while others cause you to "put the pedal to the metal?"

What's the deal?

Think of the street as a public "interface." Like the iPhone, a good interface should be attractive, efficient, and easy to use. This is what Jamie Jamieson means when he talks about a "dignified public realm" or "human-scaled" developments.

Land-use planning in recent decades has created a public interface that is like those old DOS computer programs: inefficient, soulless, hard to use (and completely oriented towards the needs of the machine, not the human).

What's the solution? Many believe it's time to reject land-use planning, which emphasizes separation of uses (commercial, residential, office, etc) but ignores the public interface. In its place, "Form-Based Codes" would focus on the public interface (the look and feel of city spaces and neighborhoods) instead of the exact use of specific buildings.

You've been hearing us talk about Form-Based Codes for years. Now you can learn about them from two of the nation's leading experts! Mary Madden and Geoffrey Ferrell will be in Tulsa this Thursday to present "Form-Based Codes 101." They are also the consultants who will be working with the Pearl District Association to develop Tulsa's first Form-Based Code pilot project.

WHAT: Form-Based Codes 101
WHEN: Thursday, April 9, 6:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: Central Center "Boathouse"
1028 E. 6th St (south side of 6th Street near Norfolk Ave)
MORE INFO: www.tmapc.org