DENTON, Texas — The intricacies of zoning regulations affecting Texas communities have become more accessible thanks to the efforts of a team from the University of North Texas (UNT). Led by Dr. Yang Zhou and Dr. Michael Carroll, faculty and student researchers collaborated on the Texas Zoning Atlas, which is part of the broader National Zoning Atlas initiative.
For the past two years, a group of 11 members from the UNT Departments of Economics and Public Administration focused their research on the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They employed techniques such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and data processing to create an open-source database that details zoning rules, covering everything from yard sizes to parking requirements.
“Zoning affects nearly every part of our daily lives, but the rules are often hard to understand,” explained Dr. Yang Zhou, an assistant professor of economics. Their work aims to streamline information for city planners, academics, and the public, thus enabling more informed decision-making processes.
The project faced several challenges, particularly in gathering data. Many zoning documents were not readily available online, prompting the research team to reach out to numerous local municipalities to collect necessary information and convert it into GIS-compatible formats.
Dr. Michael Carroll, a professor of economics and research advisor to the UNT team, remarked on the ambitious nature of the project, highlighting the need to digitize materials and produce geographic maps that could make zoning data more user-friendly.
Students involved in the project found it beneficial for their academic and future career paths. Ashvath Jagtap, a second-year student at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS), valued the experience for enhancing his skills in analyzing legal documents and zoning codes.
Siddhi Pawar, a senior majoring in urban policy and planning, emphasized the project’s potential to inform and bridge gaps between the public and policymakers regarding zoning reforms.
Ultimately, the Texas Zoning Atlas aims to foster economic development by making zoning data transparent and easy to navigate, thus aiding businesses in site selection and opening up economic opportunities.
“If you’re trying to attract a business to Texas, zoning is critical,” Carroll noted. “This tool helps to identify the right sites and opens up opportunities.”