How the world designs, approves, and builds for the future
Other tags
In 2026, zoning reform is shifting from isolated bylaw changes to broader system redesign by pairing code updates with implementation tools, clearer rules, and faster approvals. North American governments are expanding housing capacity through missing-middle zoning,...
Floor space ratio (FSR), also called floor area ratio (FAR), determines how much total floor area can be built on a site relative to the site’s area. Calculating FSR is simple, but most mistakes happen when confirming what counts toward gross floor area and what local...
City of Surrey launches Archistar AI PreCheck for residential permits. The platform reviews building plans to flag zoning issues before submission. Initial rollout supports R3 single-family homes with more housing types on the way. Surrey, B.C. – Archistar is thrilled...
Find out if your property is in a flood zone with a practical 5-step checklist using official hazard maps, local planning overlays, and real-world flood evidence to validate risk fast. Learn what flood zoning and flood overlays can mean for feasibility, approvals,...
ICC Innovation’s modular ecosystem supports municipalities with permitting transparency, workflow efficiency, and data security. Archistar AI PreCheck ensures code compliance and accelerates application submission before plans reach final human review. Trusted,...
Greenfields are previously undeveloped land sites that can be built up from scratch. They usually offer layout freedom and simpler early construction assumptions. Brownfield sites are previously used. Their redevelopment may involve actual or potential contamination....
Understand whether your project needs a building permit and how zoning, planning, and building codes affect approval. Learn the full building permit process, from preparing compliant plans and applications to inspections and occupancy approval. Discover common reasons...
Urban planning establishes the foundation of affordable, livable cities. It influences housing supply, transit access, and people’s everyday services. Today’s urban planning must focus on resilience and capacity, including the factors of climate risk, infrastructure...
AI is shifting from general productivity tools to city-specific applications that improve municipal operations, planning, safety, and services. Key use cases range from asset management, digital permitting, and urban planning to public safety and citizen engagement....
AI is already transforming commercial real estate—from site planning and permitting to operations, valuation, leasing, and security—making faster, smarter, and more sustainable development the new baseline rather than a future vision. The real risk isn’t AI replacing...
![AI Housing Solutions for Permitting and Increased Housing Supply [Video]](https://www.archistar.ai/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Dr.-Ben-Coorey-Stripe-video-1080x675.jpg)
How AI housing solutions modernize building approvals—reducing complexity, rework, and long permit delays for governments and applicants. Why faster and more transparent approvals are critical to increasing housing supply and improving affordability at scale. How AI...
AI-driven digital permitting tools dramatically reduce approval times by automating objective, code-based compliance checks—cutting weeks, months, and even years from project schedules. Contrary to common fears, AI does not replace human judgment, compromise...
Book a free, personalised demo to see how Archistar can work for your city, locality or business
Never miss a story. Stay ahead with insights for the buildings of tomorrow.
