[dangus]

Sometimes permissive zoning laws don’t actually encourage positive urban development outcomes.

Example: Texas

Zoning has to both exist and be well-designed.

[graeme]

Texas zoning isn't nearly as permissive as Japan's. Setbacks are a big added requirement. Minimum parking requirements too though that is changing.

But it would not be legal to build japanese neighbourhoods in Texas.

[larsiusprime]

Texas zoning is only “permissive” relative to other states. Relative to Japan it’s quite restrictive.

[zbrozek]

I bet you'd see natural market driven concentration around rail stations in Texas too, if they had a useful rail network.

[jt2190]

Dallas-Area Rapid Transit (DART) member cities all had to develop 25-year plans for denser development around station sites as a condition of their membership, if that’s what you mean by “natural”.

[XenophileJKO]

You might be surprised, look at Dallas. They have a pretty extensive rail network.

[Schiendelman]

Dallas does not have permissive zoning, even in comparison to a city like Seattle.