Best Housing & Urban Development Law Books of 2025

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America is a powerful and essential history of the modern American metropolis. Richard Rothstein, the author, exposes how American governments deliberately imposed racial segregation on metropolitan areas nationwide. Rothstein describes how the American government systematically imposed residential segregation: with undisguised racial zoning; public housing that purposefully segregated previously mixed communities; subsidies for builders to create whites-only suburbs. The Color of Law is a groundbreaking study that has already transformed our understanding of twentieth-century urban history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in urban planning and development.

San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities is a thought-provoking book that exposes the failure of progressive policies in solving problems related to homelessness, inequality, and crime. Author Michael Shellenberger, a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for 30 years, offers a fresh perspective on the issue of homelessness, revealing that it's not solely a housing or financial problem, but rather an ideological one. Shellenberger's proposed solutions are both practical and humane, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in the future of our cities. Overall, San Fransicko is a well-written and informative book that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a new way of thinking about urban issues.

The Condominium Concept is a practical guide that provides valuable insights to officers, owners, realtors, attorneys, and directors of Florida Condominiums. The book offers the latest Florida Statutes along with forms and references, making it an excellent working tool for anyone involved in managing a condominium association. Author Peter Dunbar is a well-known authority on the laws governing condominiums, and his 34 years of experience are reflected in the book's informative content. Overall, The Condominium Concept is an essential read for anyone looking to operate a successful condominium association in Florida.

The Law of Florida Homeowners Association, 12th Edition is an essential guide for anyone involved in a Florida homeowners association. The book is written by attorney Peter Dunbar, who is a well-respected authority on community association law, and attorney Charles Dudley. The book is updated to reflect the latest Florida statutes and covers everything from budgeting to conducting productive meetings. It also includes 27 forms that can be adapted to any association. Overall, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in the management of a Florida homeowners association.

Servants of the Damned is a national bestseller that exposes the dark side of American law. David Enrich's book delivers a devastating exposé of the power wielded by the world's largest law firms, tracing how they shielded opioid makers, big tobacco, Russian oligarchs, and more. Enrich focuses on Jones Day, one of the largest law firms in the world, with deep ties to corporate interests and conservative politics. Jones Day's checkered history includes its work for Donald Trump, defending him in various legal matters. Servants of the Damned is a compelling account of how mega law firms distort justice.

"How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York" is a classic book that sheds light on the living conditions of New York slums and sweatshops during the nineteenth century. Written by one of the most prominent reformers of that time, the book discusses the plight of working children, the tearing down of New York's worst tenements and sweatshops, and the reform of the city's schools. The book's impact led to a decade of improvements in Lower East Side conditions, with sewers, garbage collection, and indoor plumbing all following soon after, thanks to public reaction. This reprint edition from Martino Fine Books is highly recommended for readers interested in urban planning and development books."

Texas Homeowners Association Law: Fourth Edition is an essential legal guidebook for Texas homeowners associations and homeowners. It provides a comprehensive explanation of the federal and state laws governing Texas homeowners associations and includes sample forms for use by Texas homeowners associations and homeowners. The book is organized by topic and written in plain English, making it easy to understand for board members, officers, and homeowners. With over 2,500 annotations and citations to Texas and Federal statutes and appellate court decisions, this book is also an indispensable tool for property managers, realtors, and attorneys working with association-governed communities.

Residential Interior Design: A Guide to Planning Spaces is a comprehensive guide for interior design students and early-career professionals seeking a handbook for the design of livable, functional, and beautiful spaces. The book covers every critical component of interior architecture from the perspective of ergonomics and daily use. It includes hundreds of drawings and photographs that illustrate key concepts in interior design, as well as room-by-room coverage of applicable building codes and sustainability standards. The latest edition of the book provides updated information on smart building technology, residential building codes, and accessibility standards. Overall, this book is an essential resource for anyone interested in designing and planning residential interior spaces.

This book, titled "Modern Housing for America: Policy Struggles in the New Deal Era," sheds light on the forgotten alternatives to federal housing programs during the New Deal. The book introduces Catherine Bauer and her supporters' idea of non-commercial development of compact neighborhoods with social services and extensive parks. The author explores experimental developments in Philadelphia and New York to understand how Americans might have responded to this option. Although defeated during the 1930s, modern housing ideas offer financial and design strategies that could solve the housing problems of our time. This book is an insightful read for anyone interested in urban and land-use planning.

Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing is an insightful book that highlights the crucial role of land and location in the modern economy. The authors argue that the neglect of land in economic theory and housing policy has led to growing inequalities, financial instability, and housing crises. The book offers a compelling critique of the UK's failed policies towards land and housing, and proposes ambitious alternatives that deserve serious consideration. This book is a must-read for policymakers, economists, and anyone interested in understanding the underlying drivers of rising debt, increasing inequality, and financial crises.