M. Nolan Gray | An Island Press Author

M. Nolan Gray

M. Nolan Gray is a professional city planner and an expert in urban land-use regulation. He is currently completing a Ph.D. in urban planning at the University of California, Los Angeles. Gray previously worked on the front lines of zoning as a planner in New York City. He now serves as an Affiliated Scholar with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where he advises state and local policymakers on land-use policy. Gray is a contributor to Market Urbanism and a widely published author, with work appearing in outlets such as The Atlantic, Bloomberg Citylab, and The Guardian. He lives in Los Angeles, California and is originally from Lexington, Kentucky.

Lunch & Learn Guest Speaker: M. Nolan Gray

Wednesday, August 9, 2023 - 12:00pm EDT
"What if scrapping one flawed policy could bring US cities closer to addressing debilitating housing shortages, stunted growth and innovation, persistent racial and economic segregation, and car-dependent development?

Strong Towns National Gathering

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - 9:00am EDT
We know you get fired up by the stories and issues you encounter at Strong Towns. But it’s not always clear what to do next. The work of making your neighborhood stronger can often feel lonely, slow, and even discouraging. But you don’t have to stay stuck in that feeling. We know that effective advocates don’t operate on their own.

Reshaping the City: Zoning for a More Equitable, Sustainable, and Resilient Future

Friday, March 24, 2023 - 1:00pm EDT
Learn from cross-sector experts about opportunities related to updating zoning in communities across the United States. The webinar will, 1) highlight connections among traditional zoning and land use challenges cities and towns are grappling with today, 2) make the case for updating zoning policies to support health, social equity, climate action, and resilience—with a focus on aligning zoning with community priorities and real estate development objectives, and 3) share promising examples of zoning policy updates from across the U

Planning the Post-Pandemic City Online Lecture Series

Wednesday, November 2, 2022 - 5:00pm UTC
The global COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and magnified issues of urban inequality and environmental justice. Quarantine measures and the shut down of city centres have highlighted the extent to which urban land is dominated by road and car parking infrastructure. In many places, air quality has improved, nature has become more prominent and neighbours are starting to speak for the first time.