20th Century
As the 19th Century came to a close, NYC's population increased to over 3.35 million in an area of over 360 square miles by consolidating the then independent cities of Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Brooklyn to join Manhattan in order to form the New York of the present [i]. With the land area increasing sixfold, city planners now had an even larger land mass to maintain.
Tenement House Act
As New York began to flourish as the financial center of the country, buildings continued to sky upwards in higher density, residents began to worry about the loss of sunlight and air quality down at street level [ii]. The culmination of these complaints resulted in the New York State Tenement House Act of 1901, or "new law" tenements, which required that all windows faced fresh air and light, and set height restrictions on residential buildings. These new land tenements proved to be essential in promoting the importance of quality of resident's lives over the rapid infrastructure growth of the surrounding city.
The Tenement House Act set height restrictions on residential buildings, but new skyscrapers continued to flower up overnight as businesses sought to thrive amidst the success of NYC. These towering buildings cast shadows for multiple blocks, affecting the value of those buildings [ii]. George B. Ford of the New York Committee of City plan summarized the sentiment of the people when he characterized these skyscrapers as "poor business propositions, destructive of adjacent land values, unwholesome obstructions to light and ventilation, and undesirable edifices generally" [iii]. As a result, state legislature implemented what would become the nation's first zoning resolution, the 1916 Zoning Resolution.
NYC Telephone Building
Tenement House Act
As New York began to flourish as the financial center of the country, buildings continued to sky upwards in higher density, residents began to worry about the loss of sunlight and air quality down at street level [ii]. The culmination of these complaints resulted in the New York State Tenement House Act of 1901, or "new law" tenements, which required that all windows faced fresh air and light, and set height restrictions on residential buildings. These new land tenements proved to be essential in promoting the importance of quality of resident's lives over the rapid infrastructure growth of the surrounding city.
The Tenement House Act set height restrictions on residential buildings, but new skyscrapers continued to flower up overnight as businesses sought to thrive amidst the success of NYC. These towering buildings cast shadows for multiple blocks, affecting the value of those buildings [ii]. George B. Ford of the New York Committee of City plan summarized the sentiment of the people when he characterized these skyscrapers as "poor business propositions, destructive of adjacent land values, unwholesome obstructions to light and ventilation, and undesirable edifices generally" [iii]. As a result, state legislature implemented what would become the nation's first zoning resolution, the 1916 Zoning Resolution.
Zoning Resolution of 1916
For the first time in city planning in New York City, regulations were place on what types of buildings could go in specific zones, which were characterized as either residential, commercial, and unrestricted zones. In addition, restrictions were placed on height, lot coverage, and configuration of these buildings [iv]. One architectural trend that was an outcome of the 1916 Zoning Resolution was to build tall, slim buildings with multiple stepbacks, or the "wedding cake" style, in order to adhere to zoning laws [v]. Though the 1916 Zoning Resolution would be revised many times as city planning evolved, it would have profound effects as it laid the framework for zoning regulations throughout the country. In order to adequately put in perspective the value of this zoning resolution, here is one illustration. If New York had continued to grow under the old resolution then a maximum of 50 million people could have resided in the NYC metropolitan area, however, thanks to the resolution, New York can now still function with 250 million people residing in its five boroughs. The zoning resolution of 1916 helped to carve out a system that systematically allowed New York to accommodate five times more people than before [v]. City planners in New York were pioneers in recognizing the importance of zoning laws and have continued to rely heavily on them as the city evolves.
For the first time in city planning in New York City, regulations were place on what types of buildings could go in specific zones, which were characterized as either residential, commercial, and unrestricted zones. In addition, restrictions were placed on height, lot coverage, and configuration of these buildings [iv]. One architectural trend that was an outcome of the 1916 Zoning Resolution was to build tall, slim buildings with multiple stepbacks, or the "wedding cake" style, in order to adhere to zoning laws [v]. Though the 1916 Zoning Resolution would be revised many times as city planning evolved, it would have profound effects as it laid the framework for zoning regulations throughout the country. In order to adequately put in perspective the value of this zoning resolution, here is one illustration. If New York had continued to grow under the old resolution then a maximum of 50 million people could have resided in the NYC metropolitan area, however, thanks to the resolution, New York can now still function with 250 million people residing in its five boroughs. The zoning resolution of 1916 helped to carve out a system that systematically allowed New York to accommodate five times more people than before [v]. City planners in New York were pioneers in recognizing the importance of zoning laws and have continued to rely heavily on them as the city evolves.
City Planning Commission
Not long after, as the need for more city planning became evident, the City Planning Commission was established in 1938 as a result of the 1936 City Charter. The commission was put in charge of planning the orderly growth of the city, as well as distributing adequate amounts of resources for "housing, business, industry, transportation, distribution, recreation, culture, comfort, convenience, health and welfare of its population" [vi]. This Commission was also tasked with drafting the first ever New York City general plan, or master plan.
Not long after, as the need for more city planning became evident, the City Planning Commission was established in 1938 as a result of the 1936 City Charter. The commission was put in charge of planning the orderly growth of the city, as well as distributing adequate amounts of resources for "housing, business, industry, transportation, distribution, recreation, culture, comfort, convenience, health and welfare of its population" [vi]. This Commission was also tasked with drafting the first ever New York City general plan, or master plan.
1961 Zoning Resolution
In 1956, a gentleman by the name of James Felt assumed the position of Chairman of New York's City Planning Commission. Amidst a quickly developing city that was remarkably different from the original zoning plan of 1916 and demands over the complexity and lack of swiftness of zoning regulations, Felt promised to completely overhaul the outdated Zoning Resolution [ii,iv]. Critical issues with the original zoning resolution included lack of functional compatibility of land uses, specific use areas, performance standards, and regulations in relation to future development [v]. As a result, the 1961 Zoning Resolution, or the Comprehensive Amendment, was enacted, which remains the Zoning Resolution of NYC to this day. This new amendment introduced many new ideas that vastly affected the way the city has developed into the way it has today, including coordinated use and bulk regulations, more flexible design of buildings, relegated nuisance, reduced population density, parking requirements, and stressed the importance of open space [v]. The most influential change brought about by the 1961 Zoning Resolution was the idea of incentive zoning. The concept involves rewarding developers of tall buildings to incorporate public plazas into their projects with the permission to increase the height of the building [v]. As a result, large structures are often accompanied by large open spaces, reducing the overall crowding of buildings. Also, the revision of the zoning regulation effectively ended the era wedding-cake type structures, and instead promoted buildings that are set back from ground level with public space only to shoot straight upward like huge metal shafts [v]. In addition, the 1961 Zoning regulation also greatly reduced the density of residential areas at the edges of the city [ii].
Plan for New York City, 1969
In 1956, a gentleman by the name of James Felt assumed the position of Chairman of New York's City Planning Commission. Amidst a quickly developing city that was remarkably different from the original zoning plan of 1916 and demands over the complexity and lack of swiftness of zoning regulations, Felt promised to completely overhaul the outdated Zoning Resolution [ii,iv]. Critical issues with the original zoning resolution included lack of functional compatibility of land uses, specific use areas, performance standards, and regulations in relation to future development [v]. As a result, the 1961 Zoning Resolution, or the Comprehensive Amendment, was enacted, which remains the Zoning Resolution of NYC to this day. This new amendment introduced many new ideas that vastly affected the way the city has developed into the way it has today, including coordinated use and bulk regulations, more flexible design of buildings, relegated nuisance, reduced population density, parking requirements, and stressed the importance of open space [v]. The most influential change brought about by the 1961 Zoning Resolution was the idea of incentive zoning. The concept involves rewarding developers of tall buildings to incorporate public plazas into their projects with the permission to increase the height of the building [v]. As a result, large structures are often accompanied by large open spaces, reducing the overall crowding of buildings. Also, the revision of the zoning regulation effectively ended the era wedding-cake type structures, and instead promoted buildings that are set back from ground level with public space only to shoot straight upward like huge metal shafts [v]. In addition, the 1961 Zoning regulation also greatly reduced the density of residential areas at the edges of the city [ii].
Plan for New York City
Finally, after years of research, the City Planning Commission published the first New York general plan, "Plan for New York City", in 1969 [vii]. With this report, the planners hoped to deal with issues plaguing city planning in NYC as well as determine the best steps moving forward into the future. This plan consisted of six volumes, one for each borough and one titled 'critical issues', each divided into four main sections [viii]. These four sections were each respectively titled, The National Center, Opportunity, the Environment, and Government [vii]. One of the first things the plan accomplished was breaking up NYC into 62 separate Community Planning Districts. For each district, the plan lays out how the district should move forward based on school statistics, transportation quality, and local development. The goal was that, by providing this information to each district, they could in turn publish their own concrete plan for the district [vii]. The plan also implemented special zoning districts. This meant that each specific district "responds to specific conditions; each special district designated by the Commission stipulates zoning requirements and/or incentives tailored to distinctive qualities that may not lend themselves to generalized zoning and standard development" [ix]. This was done in order to preserve the diversity of certain neighborhoods. The City Planning Commission also hoped to update this plan on a regular basis to the best of their ability based on the natural evolution of NYC. Although initially well received by the general population, the plan eventually lost steam and enthusiasm for planning and funding faded after a decade [x]. However, new charters were put in place as necessary in 1976 and 1989, but ultimately, it was this first comprehensive plan that lays the groundwork for them all [iv].
Finally, after years of research, the City Planning Commission published the first New York general plan, "Plan for New York City", in 1969 [vii]. With this report, the planners hoped to deal with issues plaguing city planning in NYC as well as determine the best steps moving forward into the future. This plan consisted of six volumes, one for each borough and one titled 'critical issues', each divided into four main sections [viii]. These four sections were each respectively titled, The National Center, Opportunity, the Environment, and Government [vii]. One of the first things the plan accomplished was breaking up NYC into 62 separate Community Planning Districts. For each district, the plan lays out how the district should move forward based on school statistics, transportation quality, and local development. The goal was that, by providing this information to each district, they could in turn publish their own concrete plan for the district [vii]. The plan also implemented special zoning districts. This meant that each specific district "responds to specific conditions; each special district designated by the Commission stipulates zoning requirements and/or incentives tailored to distinctive qualities that may not lend themselves to generalized zoning and standard development" [ix]. This was done in order to preserve the diversity of certain neighborhoods. The City Planning Commission also hoped to update this plan on a regular basis to the best of their ability based on the natural evolution of NYC. Although initially well received by the general population, the plan eventually lost steam and enthusiasm for planning and funding faded after a decade [x]. However, new charters were put in place as necessary in 1976 and 1989, but ultimately, it was this first comprehensive plan that lays the groundwork for them all [iv].
[i] New York City. History. http://www.history.com/topics/new-york-city. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[ii] About Zoning: Background. New York City Department of City Planning. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zonehis.shtml. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[iii] O'Reilly, Edward (2012). "Undesirable edifices generally": The 1916 Zoning Resolution. New-York Historical Society. http://blog.nyhistory.org/undesirable-edifices-generally-the-1916-zoning-resolution/. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[iv] Dunlap, David (1992). Some Land-Use History Highlights. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/12/realestate/some-land-use-history-highlights.html. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[v] MacDonald, Gordon D., Tough, Rosalind (1965). The New Zoning and New York City's New Look. Land Economics. 41(1). 41-48. ISSN:00237639.
[vi] City Planning Commission. New York Department of City Planning. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/about/plancom.shtml. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[vii] 2013. Former CPC Chair Discussed 1969 Plan for New York City. New York Law School. http://www.citylandnyc.org/former-cpc-chair-discussed-1969-plan-for-new-york-city/. Accessed 7/29/13.
[viii]Soulellis, Paul. 1969, again. Soulellis. http://soulellis.com/2007/10/1969_again/. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[ix] Zoning Districts: Special Districts. New York City Department of Planning. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zh_special_purp_dist.shtml. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[x] Fainstein, Susan S (2005). The Return of Urban Renewal. Urban Planning now. Harvard Design Magazine. Issue 22. http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/images/content/5/4/540416/fac-pub-fainstein-Return-of-Urban-Renewal-final.pdf. Accessed on 7/29/13.
Header image retrieved from http://cdn.acidcow.com/pics/20100216/new_york_at_the_beginning_of_the_20th_century_28.jpg
[ii] About Zoning: Background. New York City Department of City Planning. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zonehis.shtml. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[iii] O'Reilly, Edward (2012). "Undesirable edifices generally": The 1916 Zoning Resolution. New-York Historical Society. http://blog.nyhistory.org/undesirable-edifices-generally-the-1916-zoning-resolution/. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[iv] Dunlap, David (1992). Some Land-Use History Highlights. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/12/realestate/some-land-use-history-highlights.html. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[v] MacDonald, Gordon D., Tough, Rosalind (1965). The New Zoning and New York City's New Look. Land Economics. 41(1). 41-48. ISSN:00237639.
[vi] City Planning Commission. New York Department of City Planning. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/about/plancom.shtml. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[vii] 2013. Former CPC Chair Discussed 1969 Plan for New York City. New York Law School. http://www.citylandnyc.org/former-cpc-chair-discussed-1969-plan-for-new-york-city/. Accessed 7/29/13.
[viii]Soulellis, Paul. 1969, again. Soulellis. http://soulellis.com/2007/10/1969_again/. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[ix] Zoning Districts: Special Districts. New York City Department of Planning. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/zone/zh_special_purp_dist.shtml. Accessed on 7/29/13.
[x] Fainstein, Susan S (2005). The Return of Urban Renewal. Urban Planning now. Harvard Design Magazine. Issue 22. http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/images/content/5/4/540416/fac-pub-fainstein-Return-of-Urban-Renewal-final.pdf. Accessed on 7/29/13.
Header image retrieved from http://cdn.acidcow.com/pics/20100216/new_york_at_the_beginning_of_the_20th_century_28.jpg