Zoning Reform Could Cut Detroit's Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Outdated parking and setback requirements make Detroit's neighborhoods unwalkable, contributing to high transportation emissions.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty Detroit sidewalk lined with storefronts, the scene bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of urban nostalgia and the potential for more pedestrian-friendly development.Zoning reform could transform Detroit's car-centric neighborhoods into more walkable, sustainable communities.Today in Detroit

Transportation accounts for about one-third of Southeast Michigan's greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to zoning policies that prioritize car-dependent development. Detroit's zoning rules require excessive parking spaces and force buildings to be set back from sidewalks, making neighborhoods unwalkable. A pending ordinance would reduce these requirements to enable more walkable development and cut emissions.

Why it matters

Zoning policies that prioritize alternatives to driving could decarbonize transportation faster than electric vehicles alone, while also providing public health and affordability benefits to residents. Walkable neighborhoods with mixed-use development and less reliance on cars can significantly reduce a city's carbon footprint.

The details

Detroit's zoning requires 1.75 parking spaces per housing unit and forces buildings to be set back from sidewalks, making neighborhoods unwalkable. The pending 'Let's Build More Housing, Detroit' ordinance would reduce parking minimums and setback requirements to enable more walkable development. Walkable areas like downtown Ann Arbor, with shops and restaurants next to sidewalks, are made possible by reduced parking minimums instead of seas of asphalt.

  • The 'Let's Build More Housing, Detroit' ordinance is currently under deliberation by the city council.

The players

Amy Hemmeter

Co-author of the article and representative of the nonprofit Strong Towns Detroit.

Naabia Romain

Co-author of the article and representative of the nonprofit Strong Towns Detroit.

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What they’re saying

“Transportation accounts for about one-third of Southeast Michigan's greenhouse gas emissions, largely due to zoning policies that prioritize car-dependent development.”

— Amy Hemmeter and Naabia Romain, Co-authors

What’s next

The Detroit City Council is still deliberating over the 'Let's Build More Housing, Detroit' ordinance, which would reduce parking minimums and setback requirements to enable more walkable development.

The takeaway

To build a sustainable and resilient future in Detroit, the city needs to reform its zoning policies to prioritize walkable, bikeable, and transit-accessible development. Passing the 'Let's Build More Housing, Detroit' ordinance would be an important step in that direction.