What zoning regulation is designed to prevent overcrowding in urban areas?

Bulk zoning is specifically designed to prevent overcrowding in urban areas by regulating the overall mass and density of buildings within a specific area. This type of zoning establishes guidelines on maximum building heights, lot coverage, and floor area ratios. By controlling the volume of structures and the space they occupy, bulk zoning helps ensure that neighborhoods have adequate light, air, and open space. This regulation is particularly important in urban settings, where densely packed developments can lead to various issues, such as congestion, inadequate public services, and diminished quality of life for residents.

In contrast, spot zoning refers to the application of zoning regulations to a specific parcel of land that is different from the surrounding area's zoning. Comprehensive zoning encompasses the overall plan for land use in a municipality but doesn't specifically target overcrowding. Setback zoning dictates how far structures need to be from property lines and is more focused on spacing buildings away from borders rather than addressing density as a whole. Therefore, bulk zoning is the most effective method among these options to combat overcrowding in urban environments.