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). 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.

Jessica Trounstine is a professor of political science at the University of California–Merced.