Salim Furth explains that zoning laws have become “too inflexible and too political,” and too easily coopted by special interests. He suggests a more flexible approach:

In the current housing market, zoning is to blame for high housing costs in coastal cities. But taking a century-long and nationwide view, different problems crop up in different markets. The specifics of each city’s regulations ought to change with the market, but the broader system—as defined by a state zoning enabling act—should be flexible enough to accommodate industry or commerce, overcrowding or vacancies, trolleys or self-driving hovercraft. And it ought to serve the public interest broadly.

Self-driving hovercraft are a thing?