Sara C. Bronin
@sarabronin.bsky.social
Mexican-American architect, attorney, GW Law professor, National Zoning Atlas founder, "Key to the City" author, preservationist, 7th-generation Texan, mother of 3. https://wwnorton.com/books/key-to-the-city
The NZA methodology is incredibly complex, and this post explains in (somewhat) plain English how we have decided (after years of discussion) to display areas with base districts and overlays:
Who wants to learn about slices? 🔪 No, not pizza slices.🍕 Zoning slices! 🤓
Let us explain.
🧵👇
Let us explain.
🧵👇
November 14, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The NZA methodology is incredibly complex, and this post explains in (somewhat) plain English how we have decided (after years of discussion) to display areas with base districts and overlays:
Reposted by Sara C. Bronin
Very much worth your time!
VIRGINIANS! You voted for affordability - now make sure it happens via zoning reform. Check out "Zoning Report: Virginia," which analyzes 50,000 pages of zoning codes: www.zoningatlas.org/virginia. Check out how your town/region fares w/our Snapshots! And join our webinar Tuesday to chat live!
November 7, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Very much worth your time!
VIRGINIANS! You voted for affordability - now make sure it happens via zoning reform. Check out "Zoning Report: Virginia," which analyzes 50,000 pages of zoning codes: www.zoningatlas.org/virginia. Check out how your town/region fares w/our Snapshots! And join our webinar Tuesday to chat live!
November 6, 2025 at 4:16 PM
VIRGINIANS! You voted for affordability - now make sure it happens via zoning reform. Check out "Zoning Report: Virginia," which analyzes 50,000 pages of zoning codes: www.zoningatlas.org/virginia. Check out how your town/region fares w/our Snapshots! And join our webinar Tuesday to chat live!
Interested in parking reform? Check this out - I'll be talking about Hartford (& a tiny bit about @zoningatlas.bsky.social's parking features):
A mini-symposium on parking — without the commute. Join us for a virtual panel series on Nov. 18 and connect with parking reform champions from across the country.
View the session schedule and register here www.its.ucla.edu/tri... #UCLATransportation100
View the session schedule and register here www.its.ucla.edu/tri... #UCLATransportation100
November 4, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Interested in parking reform? Check this out - I'll be talking about Hartford (& a tiny bit about @zoningatlas.bsky.social's parking features):
A long review of Key to the City just came out in New York Review of Books!: www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
Reshaping the City | Samuel Stein
What does zoning reform have the power to change?
www.nybooks.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:11 PM
A long review of Key to the City just came out in New York Review of Books!: www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
Latest in the East Wing demolition saga - the President fires members of the Commission on Fine Arts. My comments for @npr.org's All Things Considered:
www.npr.org/2025/10/29/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/29/n...
White House fires entire commission that reviews designs for federal buildings
The White House has fired all six members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the independent federal agency that reviews design plans for monuments, memorials, coins and federal buildings.
www.npr.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Latest in the East Wing demolition saga - the President fires members of the Commission on Fine Arts. My comments for @npr.org's All Things Considered:
www.npr.org/2025/10/29/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/29/n...
The East Wing demolition has raised alarms beyond the American preservation community: the world is watching. Today @abc-news.bsky.social (Australia) released "Is Trump allowed to demolish the White House's East Wing?" I'm at minute 14:00: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
Is Trump allowed to demolish the White House's East Wing? | Planet America
YouTube video by ABC News In-depth
www.youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The East Wing demolition has raised alarms beyond the American preservation community: the world is watching. Today @abc-news.bsky.social (Australia) released "Is Trump allowed to demolish the White House's East Wing?" I'm at minute 14:00: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
The demolition of the White House East Wing is underway. Might there be a path to stop it through litigation? Thinking about it as we speak. 🤔 Regardless, Congress must strengthen oversight and close the White House loophole, so this never happens again.
Stay tuned as this develops.
Stay tuned as this develops.
The White House itself is exempt from a federal preservation law that requires reviews — and the East Wing is mostly demolished.
But I spoke with @sarabronin.bsky.social, who led a key watchdog agency under Biden + believes there's still a narrow, potential path to file suit and pause the project.
But I spoke with @sarabronin.bsky.social, who led a key watchdog agency under Biden + believes there's still a narrow, potential path to file suit and pause the project.
October 22, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The demolition of the White House East Wing is underway. Might there be a path to stop it through litigation? Thinking about it as we speak. 🤔 Regardless, Congress must strengthen oversight and close the White House loophole, so this never happens again.
Stay tuned as this develops.
Stay tuned as this develops.
Reposted by Sara C. Bronin
Congratulations to @SaraBronin.bsky.social for winning the prestigious Heinz Award for her groundbreaking work on zoning reform - but the celebration comes with concern. Due to Governor Ned Lamont vetoing HB 5002, she voiced disappointment over the loss of a bill aimed at improving housing access...
October 16, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Congratulations to @SaraBronin.bsky.social for winning the prestigious Heinz Award for her groundbreaking work on zoning reform - but the celebration comes with concern. Due to Governor Ned Lamont vetoing HB 5002, she voiced disappointment over the loss of a bill aimed at improving housing access...
DC Book Talk: On 9/25 at noon, I'll be at @auwcl.bsky.social, hosted by property law professor @ezrarosser.bsky.social. I'll cover a few specific legal issues, & then branch out to organizing/advocacy, @zoningatlas.bsky.social, & probably policy/political topics too. Feel free to join us!
September 18, 2025 at 6:27 PM
DC Book Talk: On 9/25 at noon, I'll be at @auwcl.bsky.social, hosted by property law professor @ezrarosser.bsky.social. I'll cover a few specific legal issues, & then branch out to organizing/advocacy, @zoningatlas.bsky.social, & probably policy/political topics too. Feel free to join us!
Reposted by Sara C. Bronin
THIS THURSDAY! Join us, @aura-atx.org, & @texansforhousing.bsky.social, 7 PM at Café Crème, to hear @sarabronin.bsky.social about discuss her book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World.
RSVP here — free to attend, but book purchase with ticket available: thelittlegayshop.com/products/urb...
RSVP here — free to attend, but book purchase with ticket available: thelittlegayshop.com/products/urb...
September 16, 2025 at 6:31 PM
THIS THURSDAY! Join us, @aura-atx.org, & @texansforhousing.bsky.social, 7 PM at Café Crème, to hear @sarabronin.bsky.social about discuss her book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World.
RSVP here — free to attend, but book purchase with ticket available: thelittlegayshop.com/products/urb...
RSVP here — free to attend, but book purchase with ticket available: thelittlegayshop.com/products/urb...
Looking amazing guys! Can't wait!
Fellow attendees, come join the @zoningatlas.bsky.social team on SUNDAY at 3 p.m. (and me + @evictionlab.bsky.social on MONDAY at 3 p.m.)!
Fellow attendees, come join the @zoningatlas.bsky.social team on SUNDAY at 3 p.m. (and me + @evictionlab.bsky.social on MONDAY at 3 p.m.)!
YIMBYtown 2025 is almost here! Huge thanks to our amazing volunteers who spent the week packing tote bags, organizing badges, and moving boxes to get everything ready. We couldn’t do it without you - cannot wait for Sunday! 🏘️🚉🍕
September 12, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Looking amazing guys! Can't wait!
Fellow attendees, come join the @zoningatlas.bsky.social team on SUNDAY at 3 p.m. (and me + @evictionlab.bsky.social on MONDAY at 3 p.m.)!
Fellow attendees, come join the @zoningatlas.bsky.social team on SUNDAY at 3 p.m. (and me + @evictionlab.bsky.social on MONDAY at 3 p.m.)!
Los Angeles: The City of Angels (and its entire CBSA) is up on the National Zoning Atlas! 😇😇😇 Check out our webinar, September 17, 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST where our team will present some findings in the region:
The entire #LosAngeles metro area is now available on the National Zoning Atlas public map! 😎 ☀️ 🌆
On 9/17 at 1pm PT, we’re hosting a webinar to share a first-of-its-kind analysis of how LA zones & demo how advocates can get the most out of NZA tools.
🗓️ Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
On 9/17 at 1pm PT, we’re hosting a webinar to share a first-of-its-kind analysis of how LA zones & demo how advocates can get the most out of NZA tools.
🗓️ Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Los Angeles: The City of Angels (and its entire CBSA) is up on the National Zoning Atlas! 😇😇😇 Check out our webinar, September 17, 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST where our team will present some findings in the region:
AUSTIN! Come talk zoning (@zoningatlas.bsky.social + "Key to the City") with me at:
- A book event w/@urbanatxreads.bsky.social, AURA, & Texans for Housing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, 9/18!
- The Movability Summit on at 11 a.m. on Friday, 9/19!: movabilitytx.org/events/movab...
Hope to see you!
- A book event w/@urbanatxreads.bsky.social, AURA, & Texans for Housing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, 9/18!
- The Movability Summit on at 11 a.m. on Friday, 9/19!: movabilitytx.org/events/movab...
Hope to see you!
September 3, 2025 at 9:49 PM
AUSTIN! Come talk zoning (@zoningatlas.bsky.social + "Key to the City") with me at:
- A book event w/@urbanatxreads.bsky.social, AURA, & Texans for Housing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, 9/18!
- The Movability Summit on at 11 a.m. on Friday, 9/19!: movabilitytx.org/events/movab...
Hope to see you!
- A book event w/@urbanatxreads.bsky.social, AURA, & Texans for Housing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, 9/18!
- The Movability Summit on at 11 a.m. on Friday, 9/19!: movabilitytx.org/events/movab...
Hope to see you!
New Mexico statewide zoning analysis webinar next week! Registration details below. Want some background info on NM zoning? See here!: www.zoningatlas.org/new-mexico
August 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
New Mexico statewide zoning analysis webinar next week! Registration details below. Want some background info on NM zoning? See here!: www.zoningatlas.org/new-mexico
2L+ JD STUDENTS: Check out this opportunity at the NZA! You'll work directly with me & others to help illuminate zoning for the public, while honing your research, organizational, & comms skills. We're looking for the VERY TOP land use law students & future leaders. If this is you, apply today!🤓
📣 Fall Internship Opportunity for J.D. Students! 📣
Are you an upper-level law student with a passion for land use law? Apply for the NZA Legal Internship to gain a one-of-a-kind experience investigating the zoning rules that shape how our communities grow.
Visit zoningatlas.org/jobs for more info.
Are you an upper-level law student with a passion for land use law? Apply for the NZA Legal Internship to gain a one-of-a-kind experience investigating the zoning rules that shape how our communities grow.
Visit zoningatlas.org/jobs for more info.
August 21, 2025 at 1:24 PM
2L+ JD STUDENTS: Check out this opportunity at the NZA! You'll work directly with me & others to help illuminate zoning for the public, while honing your research, organizational, & comms skills. We're looking for the VERY TOP land use law students & future leaders. If this is you, apply today!🤓
DFW - come find me at two events this week (details attached!)!:
- Tuesday at 6 p.m., book talk at the Dallas Latino Cultural Center
- Wednesday at 7 a.m., board meeting of the Greater Dallas Planning Council (+ @shanedphillips.bsky.social, Bryan Tony, and Emily Liu).
Hope to see you!
- Tuesday at 6 p.m., book talk at the Dallas Latino Cultural Center
- Wednesday at 7 a.m., board meeting of the Greater Dallas Planning Council (+ @shanedphillips.bsky.social, Bryan Tony, and Emily Liu).
Hope to see you!
August 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
DFW - come find me at two events this week (details attached!)!:
- Tuesday at 6 p.m., book talk at the Dallas Latino Cultural Center
- Wednesday at 7 a.m., board meeting of the Greater Dallas Planning Council (+ @shanedphillips.bsky.social, Bryan Tony, and Emily Liu).
Hope to see you!
- Tuesday at 6 p.m., book talk at the Dallas Latino Cultural Center
- Wednesday at 7 a.m., board meeting of the Greater Dallas Planning Council (+ @shanedphillips.bsky.social, Bryan Tony, and Emily Liu).
Hope to see you!
Reposted by Sara C. Bronin
"With so much of Colorado’s land banning the most affordable housing type—multi-family units —it is small wonder rents have soared so high."
In a new op-ed, NZA CEO @sarabronin.bsky.social breaks down a new NZA #zoninganalysis available for Colorado.
www.coloradopolitics.com/opinion/zoni...
In a new op-ed, NZA CEO @sarabronin.bsky.social breaks down a new NZA #zoninganalysis available for Colorado.
www.coloradopolitics.com/opinion/zoni...
Zoning rules exacerbate Colorado’s housing crisis | OPINION
Gov. Jared Polis' recent executive order tying grants to compliance with statewide housing goals is the latest chapter in Colorado’s ongoing saga to address its housing affordability crisis.
www.coloradopolitics.com
August 7, 2025 at 3:47 PM
"With so much of Colorado’s land banning the most affordable housing type—multi-family units —it is small wonder rents have soared so high."
In a new op-ed, NZA CEO @sarabronin.bsky.social breaks down a new NZA #zoninganalysis available for Colorado.
www.coloradopolitics.com/opinion/zoni...
In a new op-ed, NZA CEO @sarabronin.bsky.social breaks down a new NZA #zoninganalysis available for Colorado.
www.coloradopolitics.com/opinion/zoni...
Reposted by Sara C. Bronin
I'll be in conversation with Houston raised zoning expert Sara Bronin at Brazos Bookstore today at 6:30. Hope to see you there!
.@houstonchronicle.com op/ed is an edited excerpt from my book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World. It makes the case that my hometown, Houston, might think about zoning again!:
www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outl... Join me at Brazos Bookstore Wednesday to chat more about this!
www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outl... Join me at Brazos Bookstore Wednesday to chat more about this!
I'm an urban planning expert from Houston. It's time we talk about zoning again.
A Houston-born expert on urban planning expert says it's time for Houston to rethink the z-word.
www.houstonchronicle.com
August 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I'll be in conversation with Houston raised zoning expert Sara Bronin at Brazos Bookstore today at 6:30. Hope to see you there!
.@houstonchronicle.com op/ed is an edited excerpt from my book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World. It makes the case that my hometown, Houston, might think about zoning again!:
www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outl... Join me at Brazos Bookstore Wednesday to chat more about this!
www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outl... Join me at Brazos Bookstore Wednesday to chat more about this!
I'm an urban planning expert from Houston. It's time we talk about zoning again.
A Houston-born expert on urban planning expert says it's time for Houston to rethink the z-word.
www.houstonchronicle.com
August 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
.@houstonchronicle.com op/ed is an edited excerpt from my book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World. It makes the case that my hometown, Houston, might think about zoning again!:
www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outl... Join me at Brazos Bookstore Wednesday to chat more about this!
www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outl... Join me at Brazos Bookstore Wednesday to chat more about this!
Join us for this webinar next week!
We just dropped our newest publication, "Zoning Report: Cape Cod." Now let’s unpack the findings together at our upcoming webinar!
Join us Thursday, August 7th, 2pm ET.
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us Thursday, August 7th, 2pm ET.
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
July 31, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Join us for this webinar next week!
HOUSTON! Next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., I'll be at Brazos Bookstore w/@rajmankad.bsky.social from @houstonchronicle.com discussing Key to the City. Houston (the only large US city without zoning + my hometown!) features prominently in the book.
Pre-order/info: www.brazosbookstore.com/event/sara-c...
Pre-order/info: www.brazosbookstore.com/event/sara-c...
www.brazosbookstore.com
July 29, 2025 at 6:37 PM
HOUSTON! Next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., I'll be at Brazos Bookstore w/@rajmankad.bsky.social from @houstonchronicle.com discussing Key to the City. Houston (the only large US city without zoning + my hometown!) features prominently in the book.
Pre-order/info: www.brazosbookstore.com/event/sara-c...
Pre-order/info: www.brazosbookstore.com/event/sara-c...
Massachusetts-zoning-interested folks: We'll do a webinar on Zoning Report: Cape Cod on August 7th. Please feel free to join us! Link and info below:
We just dropped our newest publication, "Zoning Report: Cape Cod." Now let’s unpack the findings together at our upcoming webinar!
Join us Thursday, August 7th, 2pm ET.
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us Thursday, August 7th, 2pm ET.
📄 Read the report: www.zoningatlas.org/zoning-repor...
🗓️ Register for the webinar: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
July 29, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Massachusetts-zoning-interested folks: We'll do a webinar on Zoning Report: Cape Cod on August 7th. Please feel free to join us! Link and info below:
Spend the summer in Cape Cod.... zoning codes. In a new report, we summarize findings from NZA's Barnstable County data.
Check out the MA Zoning Atlas page for broader context: www.zoningatlas.org/massachusetts. Note we're deep into updating the map for MBTA Communities Act compliance. Stay tuned!
Check out the MA Zoning Atlas page for broader context: www.zoningatlas.org/massachusetts. Note we're deep into updating the map for MBTA Communities Act compliance. Stay tuned!
July 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Spend the summer in Cape Cod.... zoning codes. In a new report, we summarize findings from NZA's Barnstable County data.
Check out the MA Zoning Atlas page for broader context: www.zoningatlas.org/massachusetts. Note we're deep into updating the map for MBTA Communities Act compliance. Stay tuned!
Check out the MA Zoning Atlas page for broader context: www.zoningatlas.org/massachusetts. Note we're deep into updating the map for MBTA Communities Act compliance. Stay tuned!
The Massachusetts Zoning Atlas is now live - & today, the @bostonglobe.com's @andrewbrinker.bsky.social covered key findings: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/17/b...
Tomorrow, at noon in Boston, @zoningatlas.bsky.social is presenting our findings IN PERSON. RSVP link here: zoningatlas.org/massachusetts
Tomorrow, at noon in Boston, @zoningatlas.bsky.social is presenting our findings IN PERSON. RSVP link here: zoningatlas.org/massachusetts
96 percent of Massachusetts is off limits to most apartment buildings. Some hope a new map will change that. - The Boston Globe
The Massachusetts Zoning Atlas is part of a broader effort to document the zoning of every state in the United States.
www.bostonglobe.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:37 PM
The Massachusetts Zoning Atlas is now live - & today, the @bostonglobe.com's @andrewbrinker.bsky.social covered key findings: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/17/b...
Tomorrow, at noon in Boston, @zoningatlas.bsky.social is presenting our findings IN PERSON. RSVP link here: zoningatlas.org/massachusetts
Tomorrow, at noon in Boston, @zoningatlas.bsky.social is presenting our findings IN PERSON. RSVP link here: zoningatlas.org/massachusetts