Zoning plays a key role in building because it derisks investing in building capital. If I know that all the parcels around me are residentially zoned then I can build a house with confidence knowing that someone isn’t going to put a fertilizer plant next door.
Obviously some places don’t have it and it works out fine: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Fertilizer_Company_expl...
Getting rid of zoning doesn’t suddenly make more trades. Plumbers, roofers, and electricians are in short supply because the gfc wiped them out.
Why not better, simpler zoning with well understood and simple rules for changing the zoning?