How zoning quietly reshaped the world

Sara Bronin explains how zoning has become the hidden force that shapes everything from the house you can afford to the way you get to work.

Zoning can be difficult for the average person to parse, but it has an immense impact on our lives—everything from housing to roads and green spaces are set by these rules. Zoning boils down to regulations of how land can, and cannot be used, whether commercial, industrial, and residential areas. From rising housing costs to struggling main streets and long commutes, zoning touches upon almost every aspect of our daily lives.