Private Neighborhoods and the Transformation of Local Government (Urban Institute Press) - Softcover

Nelson School Of Public Policy University Of Maryland, Robert H.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0877667519 ISBN 13: 9780877667513

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2005

Synopsis

From 1980 to 2000, half the new housing in the United States was built in a development project governed by a neighborhood association. More than 50 million Americans now live in these associations. In Private Neighborhoods and the Transformation of Local Government, Robert Nelson reviews the history of neighborhood associations, explains their recent explosive growth, and speculates on their future role in American society. Unlike many previous studies, Nelson takes on the whole a positive view. Neighborhood associations are providing the neighborhood environment controls desired by the residents, high quality common services, and a stronger sense of neighborhood community. Identifying significant operating problems, Nelson proposes new options for improving the future governance of neighborhood associations.

About this title

About the Author

Robert H. Nelson is a professor at the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland. His writings have appeared in many professional journals, and he is the author of seven books, including Zoning and Property Rights (1977), Public Lands and Private Rights: The Failure of Scientific Management (1995), and Economics as Religion: From Samuelson to Chicago and Beyond (2001). Mr. Nelson has written for the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Financial Times, and many other publications. From 1993 to 2000, he was a columnist for Forbes magazine. Prior to joining the faculty of the University of Maryland, Mr. Nelson worked in the Office of Policy Analysis of the U.S. Department of the Interior―the principal policy office serving the Secretary of the Interior―from 1975 to 1993.

Review

"...[E]ssential reading for those interested in land use policy and the future of neighborhoods." -- Lee Anne Fennell, associate professor of law, University of Illinois College of Law

"...[G]ives an excellent discussion of the economic reasons for private neighborhoods...." -- Gordon Tullock, professor of law and economics, George Mason University

"...[T]he finest and most exhaustive discussion yet on one of the most profound institutional innovations in recent years." -- Peter Gordon, professor of real estate economics and public policy, University of Southern California

"Bob Nelson is one of the nation's most insightful and provocative authors on local government today." -- William A. Fischel, professor of economics and Hale Professor in Arts and Sciences, Dartmouth College

"Robert Nelson has written two powerful books in one." -- Robert W. Poole, Jr., founder, Reason Foundation

Edition details

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0877667519
• ISBN 13: 9780877667513
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 494