Design review is not, as many people think, merely concerned with the appearance of buildings. Design review should focus on the functional interrelationships between land use, neighborhood character and transportation systems. The integration of transit, bike and pedestrian transportation systems with land uses is a prime goal of design review. Design review values creativity by embracing a holistic approach. Rather than prescriptive regulation, design review considers performance and outcomes.
Most communities use a citizens' board or commission as the decision making body for design review.
Design boards should also include citizens from the community in order to provide a neighborhood perspective. Most communities that use design review also develop design guidelines. Some communities make the guidelines mandatory, while others consider them as general principles to guide development. Design review is generally not applied in all urban areas. In many areas traditional zoning standards are adequate.