I often hear that mixed-use zoning (i.e. Euro-style walkable urban planning) is illegal in the US. Zoning laws will always prioritize auto-centric and oil-friendly infrastructure. But which laws specifically prohibit human scale development and how can we get them repealed? What laws can we enact in their place?
Remove mixed use restrictions. So store fronts can have residential above. Remove medium density restrictions. Tax credits should for new housing should include, if not favor, condos over rentals and single family homes.
Schools until at least highschool should have to be within a 15 minute bike ride/walk for students homes of a district.
Street parking should have to be heavily justified, and assumed no. That space would be better served with green spacers and bike/side walks. For areas with high density parking garages that are linked to their public transport would go a long way. Intercity rail makes a lot of sense in the midwest, so much sense that used to be the norm!
Also abolish requirements for developers to build parking spaces along with housing. Let the market decide.