This study explores whether zoning changes in New York City perpetrate and perpetuate environmental injustices. The city's zoning laws restrict the location of noxious uses to Manufacturing ("M") zones, but M zones are not distributed evenly throughout the city, and many M zones have been increased or reduced since inception. Manufacturing zones typically carry higher environmental loadings than Residential zones, with potentially adverse health and quality of life impacts to Manufacturing zone residents. Approximately 22 percent of New Yorkers live in census tracts within major M zones.

The 409 zoning map changes involving M zones between 1961-1998 were plotted by borough, decade, magnitude, and type to examine the spatial and temporal patterns of re-zoning actions, and enable comparisons of demographic indicators, before and after re-zoning. Since the city has re-zoned major M zones from manufacturing to other uses at three times the rate that areas have been re-zoned from other uses to manufacturing, the remaining M zones have experienced a concentration of noxious uses. The Bronx, the least affluent borough with the highest percentage of minorities, had the most major M zone increases and the fewest major decreases; Manhattan, the most affluent borough, received the fewest major M zone increases and the most major decreases. The re-zoning pattern corresponds to policy trends regarding privatization, gentrification, the importance of industry, and the roles of governmental and community-led planning.

M zones contain higher percentages of minorities and renters, having lower incomes, than the borough or city averages for every borough and census period, excepting Manhattan. Areas within one half mile of major M zone increases tend to have higher percentages of minorities and renters, and lower incomes, than borough or M zone averages, remaining so after re-zoning. Areas within one half mile of major M zone decreases tend to have lower percentages of minorities and renters, and higher average incomes, than borough averages.

Although zoning's ostensible purpose is to ensure public health, welfare, and safety, presumably providing equal protection under the law, zoning as practiced in New York City appears to protect differentially, depending on race and ethnicity, income, and homeowner status.

There were five case study industrial areas examined in detail for this project, two of which are in the Bronx: the Hunts Point peninsula and the Bathgate/Crotona community. Several of the exploratory and explanatory maps that were produced are shown here. For further discussion of the impacts of industrial zoning changes, see "Zoning, Equity, and Public Health," in the July 2001 American Journal of Public Health.

• Manufacturing Zone changes in Manhattan 1961 -1998

• Manufacturing Zone changes in Staten Island 1961 -1998
  
  

• Bathgate Case Study Area Map

• Bathgate Mean Family Income 1970, 1980