Understanding zoning rules that shape Texas communities is now easier, thanks to UNT faculty and students in economics and public administration. Their work on the Texas Zoning Atlas, part of the National Zoning Atlas projects, makes complex housing and land-use regulations more accessible to policymakers, planners and the public.

The UNT team focused on charting portions of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Using research, geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and data processing, they helped build a detailed, open-source database of zoning rules -- from parking requirements to yard sizes.

"By demystifying these policies, we empower city planners, academics and everyday Texans to make informed decisions," says Yang Zhou, assistant professor of economics and assistant director of the UNT Economics Research Group.