Abstract

Zoning emerged, at the end of the nineteenth century, as an answer to the increasing density of city centers. The origin of zoning theory can be found in Germany as a concept coming from a functional perspective based on the increasing density and height of buildings. In the United States, more specifically in New York, the term was used in 1916 as applied to urban regulation, recognizing not only the difficulties of different land uses, but the interests of private agents and owners of particular spaces in the city, establishing requirements regarding the height of buildings, volumes, and population density within regulations. Zoning criteria in contemporary urban and regional studies give rise to many questions around the production processes of the city and attempts to control and conduct its physical and social occupation, and the conflicts and contradictions produced in the city.