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.