[diordiderot]

Zoning is not construction regulation. I don't think OP meant don't build housing with fire escapes or certified electricians.

To the traffic point I believe you may have what young urbanists uncharitably called car brain.

Less zoning -> more density -> fewer cars -> fewer deaths. Pedestrian safety a lagging effect unfortunately

[svnt]

OP: “Zoning laws mean you can’t just build large volumes of cheap accommodation.”

Building codes prevent cheap housing more than zoning laws. It sure seemed like a marginally-informed rant to me.

I live on a street that attempted to convert grass-roots to a bike greenway. I don’t think I have car brain. Zoning is useful, but imperfect. It sounds like we’d agree to be against nimby residential protections of high-end housing, but that’s not what OP said. I didn’t realize OP’s post was just a dog whistle.

[diordiderot]

> Building codes prevent cheap housing more than zoning laws.

IMHO dense housing is cheap housing. Zoning groups(verb) anti-density regulations like lot setbacks & height restrictions