Segregation by Design: Local Politics and Inequality in American Cities - Hardcover

Trounstine, Jessica

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1108429955 ISBN 13: 9781108429955

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2019

Synopsis

Segregation by Design draws on more than 100 years of quantitative and qualitative data from thousands of American cities to explore how local governments generate race and class segregation. Starting in the early twentieth century, cities have used their power of land use control to determine the location and availability of housing, amenities (such as parks), and negative land uses (such as garbage dumps). The result has been segregation - first within cities and more recently between them. Documenting changing patterns of segregation and their political mechanisms, Trounstine argues that city governments have pursued these policies to enhance the wealth and resources of white property owners at the expense of people of color and the poor. Contrary to leading theories of urban politics, local democracy has not functioned to represent all residents. The result is unequal access to fundamental local services - from schools, to safe neighborhoods, to clean water.

About this title

Review

'This is a terrific and timely book. Trounstine analyzes one of the pillars of structural racism and how it was built cumulatively to become something that on the surface looks like the workings of a color-free market. While big outcomes seldom derive solely from a single factor, Trounstine does a superb job of placing the political dominance of white homeownership in a long and consequential directory.' Clarence Stone, Research Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, The George Washington University

'Segregation by Design is one of the best books on urban politics in years. Trounstine takes on fundamental issues of segregation and inequality across cities and shows how policies meant to guarantee equal access to public services have often had perverse consequences. The book is beautifully written, erudite, and interesting on virtually every page. We need more books like this.' Christopher Berry, William J. and Alicia Townsend Friedman Professor, University of Chicago

'Trounstine's effective use of primary and secondary historical evidence and a wide range of quantitative data and methods results in a convincing argument about the role of local government actors in generating residential segregation. This book is a compelling and important contribution to the large literature on the causes and consequences of geographic segregation in the US.' Elisabeth R. Gerber, Jack L. Walker, Jr Professor of Public Policy, Associate Dean, Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan

'Trounstine fills an enormous hole in our understanding of how segregation evolved in the United States.' J. Eric Oliver, University of Chicago

Book Description

The first account of how local governments generate segregation, this book documents changing patterns of segregation, the political mechanisms that produce them, and the consequences. It will be read by scholars, students, and general readers interested in urban politics, inequality, segregation, race, public policy, history, and urban economics.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1108429955
• ISBN 13: 9781108429955
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 282