Carrying out the city plan : The practical application of American law in the execution of city plans

This volume offers a clear‑sighted look at how American law shapes the everyday work of city planning. Drawing on a systematic survey of statutes, case law, and municipal practice, it highlights the striking differences in how cities acquire land, fund public improvements, and exercise regulatory authority. The author’s experience as a landscape architect brings a practical perspective to legal concepts, showing how they affect parks, streets, public buildings and other civic projects.

Through visits to a representative sample of major cities—from New York and Chicago to Los Angeles and Seattle—the book uncovers the real‑world obstacles officials face and the strategies that have proved most effective. By comparing approaches across jurisdictions, it points out where local inertia hampers progress and where innovative legal tactics clear the way for better urban environments. Readers will come away with a nuanced understanding of the legal tools that underlie the growth and improvement of American cities.