San Francisco has advanced Family Zoning, but zoning alone does not ensure housing gets built. Permitting timelines, construction costs, building codes, and mandates still determine what is feasible. In this program, Peter Hirshberg of City Science Lab SF and Kent Larson, Director of MIT City Science, present research examining how to realize the promise of Family Zoning. They will highlight new tools—including dynamic modeling, scenario testing, and pre-approved parametric designs—that help policymakers and communities understand tradeoffs and improve project feasibility. The session will also feature MIT–Norman Foster Institute research on single-stair infill housing and conclude with a panel discussion with Rachael Tanner from SF Planning and Erika McLitus from SPUR, and audience Q&A.
Speakers:
Peter Hirshberg, Co-founder and Executive Director at City Science Lab SF
Kent Larson, Director at MIT City Science
Rachael Tanner, Director of Citywide Planning Division at City and County of San Francisco
Erika McLitus, Housing and Planning Policy Manager at SPUR