Zoned out.

Mapping procedural inequality across U.S. data center sitings.

A Harvard research project

01 / HistoryFollowing the through-line

Systemic oppression
through zoning.

Modern zoning has been falsely sold as neutral, failing to recognize the deeply rooted systemic injustice stemming from the 1900s.

At every step, the people most affected had the least say. They were graded in secret, and today they’re approved without a hearing.

Learn the history
02 / By right vs discretionaryProcedure is policy

By right
excludes
our rights.

Procedural inequality decides who gets informed, who gets heard, and who gets a vote before industrial infrastructure is built.

This gap falls hardest on neighborhoods the 20th century already wrote off for industry, and today it skips the public almost everywhere.

It’s time to change that.

Permitted outright

Build by right.

If the zoning district already lists the use, plans are checked against code and issued permits if compliant. There is no public notice. No hearing. No vote. Residents often learn about the project once the fences go up.

Needs permission

Discretionary.

A rezoning or special or conditional use permit means officials have to decide. This requires mailed and posted notices, public hearings, testimonies on record, and voting. This is where the community can say no.

How a project gets approved

Every application takes one of two routes. Only one of them lets the public in.

Application filed
Is the use permitted in this district?

Those two paths,
1,693 times.

Find the data centers near you.

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04 / Stay alertBefore it's built, not after

Know before
the fences go up.

Most residents find out after the vote, or after the permit when there never was a vote. Sign up to know when a proposal, status change, hearing or comment deadline arrives in your area.
05 / ToolkitCreate change through action

How to demand a hearing.