Sonia A. Hirt

Sonia A. Hirt is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech.

Her book, Zoned in the USA, explores the origins and implications of American land-use regulation.

Hirt's background as an urban planning student from Bulgaria who moved to the United States provides a unique perspective on American zoning practices.

Her work compares U.S. zoning laws to those in other countries, particularly in Europe, and examines how American cultural values have shaped land-use regulations.

Hirt's research focuses on the historical development of zoning codes and their impact on urban landscapes and property rights.