Segregation by Design

Local Politics and Inequality in American Cities

By: Jessica Trounstine

Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel

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 20th 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.

©2018 Jessica Trounstine (P)2021 Tantor

One of the best I've ever heard/read!

Wow. This captures the invisible issues of race, class, and cities perfectly. Everyone should read this.

Very Informative

This book was very informative. The author made sure to include relevant research data to support her overall claims. Well done

Compelling

Trounstine amasses an impressive amount of data to support her unique thesis about the power of municipal boundaries for suburbs influencing segregation and access to public goods. It definitely influenced my thinking on the subject and the argument is worth reading.