Game of Zones
Zoning codes are the little-known rules that determine who gets to live in our communities, how far we each travel to work, and what our streets and neighborhoods look like. Game of Zones is an interactive, accessible, fun way to learn how these obscure rule-books relate to our everyday world and values.
Terms like “setback,” “floor area ratio,” and “variance” are well known to city planning staff and housing developers, but use this jargon with any person on the street and you get a glassy-eyed stare in return. Game of Zones helps players understand how zoning laws determine whether we have homes for everyone.
Working together with a neighbor or two, teams are given a parcel of land, families to house, and building materials. Can they create enough homes for everyone who wants to live there — while building within the zoning rules? Teams give it their best and take it to the city planning staff for review. With a roll of the die, they might find the project has neighborhood support — or a neighborhood lawsuit. The team able to house the most people in the play time wins!
To learn how to host a game, contact Neighbors for More Neighbors.
