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So are you a fan of current zoning laws, as mandated by the federal government? The ones that have shaped cities like Detroit, San Jose, Houston, Dallas, and Phoenix?

Now what the hell are you talking about? Detroit was founded 300 years ago. It didn’t join the union until the 1830’s. "Detroit" is only the current name of a conglomeration of smaller towns, districts, and regions. Cities have historically been shaped by natural boundaries, zoning laws, competing cities, and people's desires to live and build where they wish. What's your point?

"What's your point?"

Just that it's one set of zoning laws or another. It's not like we're living under some laissez-faire regime where developers and capitalists can build anything, anywhere. Personally, I prefer the New Urbanist mixed use code. I assume you don't.

An as for Detroit, I said "shaped" not "founded." I'd argue that Detroit is more shaped by developments over the last 40 years than by anyting that happened in the previous 260.