ABSTRACT
The planning responses that the city is seeking—whether through zoning or other policies—must recognize that New York City in 1992 is built out to a much greater extent than it was in 1916 or in 1961, when comprehensive zoning ordinances were implemented. Most significantly, the addition of contextual zones has provided a new set of tools for responding to land use concerns in residential neighborhoods. Low-income residential neighborhoods require additional planning approaches, Zoning regulations are a much less powerful tool for implementing planning policies in these neighborhoods because there is little active private market development. Appropriate zoning is only one of the issues confronting the planning for commercial areas. The department has undertaken comprehensive plans for lower Manhattan, Long Island City, and downtown Flushing that address the current pattern of development, future growth opportunities, zoning and urban design, infrastructure requirements, and improvement of the public environment.
