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.
Mr. Pollack stresses that there are no magic solutions or genius innovations to be deployed, only tricky compromises to be struck by local governments in local contexts ... That’s the unsatisfying but wise lesson of Sidewalk Nation: It comes down to culture.
Pollack makes a strong case for public investment in sidewalk construction and maintenance ... This sweeping but commonsense treatise is sure to delight policy wonks.
