UrbanForm

UrbanForm Yamhill represents the first time that we've served our structured zoning data on behalf of, and with the cooperation and coordination from, municipalities themselves. Here's why that's a big deal ?? Previously, UrbanForm served #architects and #realestatedevelopers in specific jurisdictions exclusively ?? And we are happy to build and iterate UrbanForm to do that as well as possible, to justify the expense and prove value to the most discerning users of zoning data out there ?? As we always said, if local architects can trust it, then everyone else can as well ?? The way we see it, UrbanForm is a bridge ?? built to get everybody towards a shared understanding of zoning and development regulations as quickly and efficiently as possible ? But ?? now with jurisdictions and municipalities ?? themselves as our partners, that means we are now building that bridge from both sides at the same time ??? ??? In short, that means a better bridge ?? ?????? This is why we're so excited about UrbanForm Yamhill ??????. ?? It means greater clarity and confidence about zoning ?? It means more trusted information ? It's a better bridge between the all the partners who work together to create the physical world that we live in ?? That is UrbanForm's mission: #technologyforbetterbuildingsandcities. ?? We're hosting a webinar to talk about some of the nitty-gritty about how this project came to be, and the lessons learned ?? Would you join us? ?? And let us know what you think? The link to register is in the comments ??

After a long career in architecture, I saw that one of our biggest needs is a better bridge ?? between the work of our planners, architects, municipal staffers, and real estate developers ?? To facilitate collective efforts towards a better built environment for us all. And I knew that technology had the power to build that bridge ?? I left professional architecture practice years ago to begin building UrbanForm, with the goal of providing clarity and confidence around #zoning, a key piece of information that everyone relied upon to inform their work ??? We've been heads down for the last few months ?, but we're excited to poke our heads out to announce ?? the launch of UrbanForm Yamhill ??. This is the first project that we know of to provide a coordinated zoning information portal across 11 (??) jurisdictions. It's the first cross-regional web portal to access zoning information and municipal sources of data, built with the cooperation and coordination of EACH municipality ?? For those of you who know, that is a lot of coordination ?? To provide even greater ? clarity and confidence ? with zoning. It was for this cross-regional collaboration that we received an award last week, and I'm happy the plaque is now sitting on my desk. ?? This is what cross disciplinary collaboration and cooperation looks like, and I'm excited to continue this work with our ongoing partners, customers, and teams ?? There were many who were involved, and off the top of my head, I can give shout outs to Nathan Wildfire, Amy Snyder, Scott Dadson, Mcrae Carmichael, Erik Andersson, Naureen Khan, Kip Morris M.OLP, Branden Dross, MPA (whoop whoop!), Nathan Frarck, Rochelle Roaden, Hilary Malcomson, Heather Richards, Clay Downing, AICP, Leanne Wagener, APA, Jeremy Caudle, Curt Fisher, AICP, Evan Hietpas, Shannon Beaucaire, Shelley Reimer, Julie Brandao, Christy Martinez, Jeff Gaus, Peter Clarke, Charles Voloshin, Doug Rux, Dave Rucklos, Rachel King, Linda W., Cale George, Marianne Thomson, Bridget Meneley, Yvette Potter, Andrew Castro, Michelle Long, Vickie Hernandez, Aimee Amerson, Scott Whyte, Shea Corrigan, and Mayor Bill Rosacker. I know I'm missing some, as well, so please forgive me. And for those who would like to learn more, please join our webinar, hosted by me and Nathan Wildfire on March 19th. Registration is available in the link I'll post in the comments below. #technologyforbetterbuildingsandcities

?? Happy T?t ?? Year of the Snake! ?? Chúc m?ng n?m m?i! This is what DeepSeek AI R1 says about the Year of the Snake 2025: "The Year of the Snake in 2025, officially beginning on January 29, marks the start of the?Wood Snake?year in the Chinese zodiac. This combination occurs every 60 years (last in 1965) and blends the Snake’s strategic nature with Yin Wood’s flexible, diplomatic energy.?Here’s what to expect: Key Characteristics of the 2025 Wood Snake Elemental Influence: Yin Wood (associated with flowers and grass) tempers the Snake’s fiery traits, fostering adaptability and observation over aggression. Global Outlook: Anticipate heightened tensions and potential conflicts, but also opportunities for calculated growth in sectors like healthcare, education, and sustainable industries. Travel Guidance: The east direction is considered auspicious due to its alignment with Wood energy, encouraging travel or projects oriented eastward." UrbanForm #technologyforbetterbuildingsandcities

The very first barrier when looking to build, or rebuild, is figuring out what the #zoning allows. This is where UrbanForm can help--let me show you how. In the video below, I show you how, with an online map as easy to use as Google Maps, UrbanForm will give you details about the zoning that otherwise would take hours of hunting and pecking around government websites. All the important building regulations contained in the zoning, things like FAR, height limits, coverage limits, as well as any bonuses that may be available, are shown to you within seconds. Crucially, we include links to the very exact place in either the zoning code or the government website where you can verify and find further details. Even more, downloadable PDFs are available within seconds. Reach out to me directly to see if I can help the work in the City of Los Angeles. UrbanForm #technologyforbetterbuildingsandcities

Our 5 most popular blog posts of 2024: 1) "Our competitors." For a couple of weeks, I actually got stopped in the streets by people saying they loved this post and had never seen anything like it before. As someone who used to play competitive sports and is now the founder of a startup, I obviously have a lot of thoughts about competition, but they're perhaps non-conventional. This post probably deserves a follow up. ??? 2) "How many units can be built?" Strangely, this is a bit of a wonkish post detailing the steps needed to calculate one aspect of zoning regulation: density, or minimum/maximum number of dwelling units allowable on a site. This has a huge impact on what can be built and therefore the value of land and development projects. But it is often expressed as a formula with numerous site dependent variables, so it's rarely easy to know quickly. Without UrbanForm, that is ?? 3) "What is a zoning overlay?" Again, another wonkish post about zoning arcana. These are the details that separate us from others who say they can give you zoning data, and sometimes we take some time to explain these things. But I'm a bit surprised. Are you guys really that into these kind of details? Because sometimes I bring up #zoning and it seems like nobody knows what I'm talking about. . . ??? ?? 4) "Featured customer: Coby Lefkowitz and Backyard Development." I attribute the popularity of this post completely to the size of Coby's following, the scale of which would make more sense if he had been able to continue his elite basketball career and less sense when you consider that he writes about housing! #Housing! His book was even reviewed by Tyler Cowen. I wrote a book, too. Nobody cared, certainly not Tyler Cowen. ??♂? So happy to call Coby a friend (AND customer) 5) "One year. One client. A review." I really love this post, because it detailed how UrbanForm was able to prove value to vastly different sized companies over a full year using real metrics from our site. As any business owner may tell you, it's really hard to make sure customers are happy over a long time. We're so glad we are able to do it. ?? Thanks for reading, and we'll continue to contribute to our blog for as long as we are privileged enough to do so ?? Links to the blog posts are in the comments ?? UrbanForm #technologyforbetterbuildingsandcities

What I've been reading: Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Craig Mundie, Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit. From the intro: "Since the publication of his first book on the age of AI, Dr. Kissinger increasingly came to perceive a limit to the utility of reason. . . although reason has been the dominant paradigm through which humans have mastered our world, it cannot be the paradigm with which we master ourselves." Tae Kim, The Nvidia Way. The big takeaway: culture and execution are the differentiators. I invested in NVIDIA many years ago simply because (Jen-Hsun) Jensen Huang went to the next high school down the road from me in Beaverton, and, knowing this, thought he could use some support. Investment has so far turned out ok. Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov. Reread it after having read it the first time in high school; so much I missed the first time around. Somebody tell me if there are greater chapters than The Grand Inquisitor or Rebellion ever written. The Book of Matthew. I've taken on as a small side project to scribe by hand the entire Book of Matthew from the New Testament, NIV translation. Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Overall, very good, but so much space is given to the question of Oppenheimer's connections to communism. While undeniably a big factor in the events of his life, I frankly did not care about this. Also, it was hard not to see big gaps in the scope of Oppenheimer's calculations (the moral ones), which his friend Isidor Isaac Rabi consistently points out. Haven't seen the movie, so can't comment on that. Scott W. Sunquist, The Unexpected Christian Century. Striking statistic quoted in the book: "In 1910, Africa was 9.4% Christian; in 2010 Africa was 48% Christian." European Christianity declined over the same period. Sara C. Bronin, The Key to the City. Books about zoning are few and far between, and Sara is as influential and accomplished as they come. Coby Lefkowitz, Building Optimism: Why Our World Looks the Way it Does, and How to Make it Better. Along with Brad Hargreaves, Coby is doing as much as anyone to inform and illuminate the many processes and factors that go into making the built environment. His writing assumes the necessity of aesthetic appreciation, which many do not or cannot.

Just a Happy New Year from us at UrbanForm to our community, wishing everyone a great start to 2025! ?? One thing I love--getting coffee with folks in person to catch up and hear about what's going on. If that's you as well, reach out! Here's a photo of Al Miller and me this beautiful morning in Portland at the UrbanForm offices. Happy 2025! UrbanForm #technologyforbetterbuildingsandcities

So impressed to see my friend (and UrbanForm customer) Coby Lefkowitz featured in Tyler Cowen's Marginal Revolution blog (link in the comments below). Can't get better exposure than that! I don't know of many, if any, who are better than Coby at writing about the complex topics around housing that show appreciation and understanding for the nuances around regulation, production, and development of our urban spaces. Excited to see Coby's work grow and develop! UrbanForm #technologyforbetterbuildingsandcities

The nature of #zoning, permits, and permitting is such that much of the information and knowledge is siloed or inaccessible to those without deep experience, so that anybody without that specific?playbook in their head will burn dozens of hours to know what an experienced local?will know off the top of their head. Fundamentally, this is what UrbanForm is attempting to address. ?? Making tops of heads available instantly to all ??

There is need. The question is who will fill it.