Zoning is also subject to political manipulation, which means that speculative opportunities are difficult to eradicate from this process. But market forces do not necessarily create the best communities. In Henry George's era, cities were organized around a central core with most of the public investment concentrated in a relatively small area. Land values were determined by locational benefits with land near the core being more valuable. But the value of the core has changed as the economy has changed and as public investments have become less centralized.
Freeways now roam through rural areas and skim by the edges of cities and towns.
Without the restraint of zoning policies, there are many enhanced commercial opportunities and higher corresponding land values along freeways. Many cities are trying to battle wasteful urban sprawl by creating new town centers and neighborhood commercial zones, requiring businesses to locate where pedestrians and transit can easily access their services. The elimination of zoning would undermine these fledgling efforts and create less than desirable communities. But zoning also creates the opportunity for speculative activity. A major reason for implementing a land value tax is to eliminate land speculation.