Description: Sidewalks, easily overlooked, are a vital public resource central to local economies, communities, property rights, development, and legal controversies over homelessness, policing, and speech. Michael Pollack explores the on-the-ground reality of American sidewalks, arguing for stronger commitments to maintenance and clear, consistent regulation.
Brief description: Michael Pollack is Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Development at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Review Quotes: Sidewalk Nation is a brilliant feat of legal imagination. And it's a great read. From outdoor dining and public protest to policing and snow removal, Michael Pollack shows how sidewalks are vital arenas where rights and regulation are contested. As he makes clear, sidewalks matter far more for urban governance than we imagine. This is essential reading for anyone who cares about property and democracy, with an urgent and achievable vision for reform.--Michael A. Heller, coauthor of Mine!: How the Hidden Rules of Ownership Control Our Lives