ESTU 443 - LAND USE LAW

Land use planning is an attempt to reconcile the fundamental conflict between individual property rights and collective environmental goals. Examines the American legal system’s role in framing and resolving this dilemma. Provides an understanding of the legal framework that creates the unique ‘bottom up’ land use regulatory system, in which state and local government share primary authority over most land use decisions. Also examines the practical and philosophical implications of federal constitutional restrictions on local government land use authority including Supreme Court ‘takings’ cases and cases evaluating claims of housing discrimination.

Prerequisites & Notes:
ESTU 369 or instructor permission

Credits: 4