You don't build a city without some kind of central planning. Even in the total absence of zoning someone needs to build the infrastructure to link it all toget

You don't build a city without some kind of central planning. Even in the total absence of zoning someone needs to build the infrastructure to link it all together. That is in large part why "just deregulate zoning" alone isn't an answer - cities in large part are in bureaucratic gridlock on developing infrastructure and wouldn't be able to supply new construction adequately. But as a society we simply cannot have private companies bulldozing blocks or razing roads to build rail or bike lanes. Additionally in the same way public policy hinders development today it could be reversed to help development. Subsidizing density and mixed use would do a lot of good to jump start the much needed urbanization of most western populations.