 Broadly speaking, if workers were able to move around as freely as they could in 1964, US GDP would be 13.5%, or nearly $2 trillion, higher.Another issue with excessively strict zoning laws is that it may increase travelling distances, therefore increasing traffic congestion, fossil fuel use, and pollution.For example, a person inside a large residential-only area would need a long car or bus trip to enter a supermarket or an office building.