Coalition Recently Released Comprehensive “Zoning Atlas” Detailing Housing-Related Land Use Regulations Across the State
HARTFORD, CT - Regional Plan Association (RPA) today announced a formal partnership with Desegregate Connecticut as part of its broader commitment to building more inclusive and equitable communities by restructuring land-use and zoning rules.
In addition to providing planning and advocacy support, RPA will also serve as the fiscal sponsor for the Desegregate Connecticut coalition. This will allow the coalition to receive grants and individual contributions towards its advocacy work to build consensus for a more diverse and prosperous future for the state.
Since launching this summer, 57 organizations representing a wide range of communities and issues such as the environment, equity, and planning have joined Desegregate Connecticut.
The coalition has worked to develop and promote statewide legislation that will permit an increase in housing diversity, housing supply, and improved development processes that will better integrate the 169 municipalities in Connecticut. The goal of the coalition is to reverse trends that have made the state one of the oldest, slowest-growing, and most segregated in the country.
Yesterday, DesegregateCT released its groundbreaking “Zoning Atlas,” which allows the general public to explore land-use regulations governing housing in each of Connecticut’s 2,616 zoning districts and in the 2 towns with subdivision regulations. This ambitious and extensive project - completed in just 4 months and coordinated by Sara Bronin - is the first of its kind nationwide.
“As a leading voice in planning nationally, RPA is the perfect partner in our efforts to advance data-backed, common-sense zoning reforms that benefit everyone,” said architect-attorney Sara Bronin, founder of Desegregate Connecticut. “We’re looking forward to working hand in hand with the RPA team to create stronger communities across our state.”
“During my tenure as HUD Secretary, I realized that any integrated housing strategy needed to include policies to promote fair housing and break down the barriers that prevent people from being able to live in any community,” said former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and RPA Board Member Henry Cisneros. “This is a critical element to producing fairer housing options and making communities work. That’s why I’m pleased to support the work Desegregate Connecticut is doing and encourage them to continue to take this matter head-on.”
“Steady habits are not enough. For Connecticut to thrive economically, we must have communities that reflect our shared values of diversity, health, and opportunity for all residents,” said Michael Cacace Senior Partner, Cacace, Tusch & Santagata and Co-Chair of RPA’s Connecticut Committee. “That includes opening the door to reforming land-use laws, building affordable housing, and other investments in our communities that will lead to greater prosperity and more equitable outcomes for all. I believe that a stronger, fairer Connecticut is within our reach if we tackle these difficult issues together.”
“Segregation and inequality have permeated our communities for far too long,” said Regional Plan Association President & CEO Tom Wright. “Urban planners are proactively taking measures to right decades of wrongs by challenging the status quo and building a better future in our communities through supporting organizations like DesegregateCT. Our zoning and land use laws have to change if we want our region to remain competitive and improve our quality of life.”
About Desegregate Connecticut
Desegregate Connecticut is a coalition of neighbors and nonprofits who believe in creating abundant, diverse housing in service of equity, inclusive prosperity, and a cleaner environment. More information on our movement can be found at desegregatect.org and on Twitter @desegregateCT.
