How To Value Community In The Wake Of Kelo Vs. New London

"In sum, the appreciated market value of the property goes to the owner. The appreciated community and social value of the property goes to the occupant. Such a policy begins to internalize the social value of property into the cost-benefit equation. That is as it should be. A municipal corporation, unlike a private corporation, should take into account the costs of dislocation to the individual and the neighborhood.

The "just compensation" debate forces us to decide whether, and how, we value community, rootedness, continuity, cohesion, connectedness. Having answered that question we can move on to the $64,000 question. Under what circumstances should the eminent domain power be exercised?"

Thanks to Brenda Meyer