DPZ's early work brought international attention to the postwar decline of urban planning. The firm was among the first to advocate sustainable, environmentally-responsive, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods, designed for mixed-use and compact urban growth. A significant aspect of DPZ's work is its innovative use of planning regulations which accompany each design. Tailored to the individual project, the codes address the manner in which buildings are designed and located to ensure that they create useful and distinctive public spaces. Architectural style, often based upon local building traditions and techniques, is also codified within the regulations.