Eminent Domain Decision Will Promote Sprawl

The Supreme Court decision to allow use of eminent domain for economic development will spur urban sprawl.

1 minute read

June 30, 2005, 10:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"Ignored by everyone, however, is that the consequences of this decision will go far beyond urban renewal projects that are likely to impinge on lower income people. Think rampant suburban sprawl. Millions of Americans living in more rural areas are now in jeopardy. Local governments, counties not just cities, already suffering because of the high costs of supplying public infrastructure to new sprawl subdivisions will eagerly seize private property to facilitate still more sprawl development...it is rural Americans who will end up paying the greatest price for this absurd court decision...The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms."

Thanks to Joel S. Hirschhorn

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 in Opinion Editorials

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