Sidewalk Nation

These issues have become more pressing in the past few decades as enthusiasm for walkable living has seen a broad resurgence…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…It comes down to culture. – Timothy Farrington * Wall Street Journal *
Pollack’s observations relating to this humble bit of infrastructure invite further reflection and discussion on the design and function of our public spaces. – Jeremy Conrad * Washington Lawyer *
By analyzing the activities on sidewalks (art, speech, protest, homelessness, play, commerce), the need for a cohesive strategy regarding sidewalks gains momentum. There are explorations of age and disability access, camera and surveillance activity, and the economic cost of improving this essential (by Pollack’s definition) tool…[This book] successfully conveys the importance of sidewalks for communities. – Tina Panik * Library Journal *
This sweeping but commonsense treatise is sure to delight policy wonks. * Publishers Weekly *
Michael Pollack has written a wonderfully informative and intriguing investigation of the overlooked infrastructure that ties us all together. The path to a better sidewalk starts here. – Henry Grabar, author of Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World
Sidewalk Nation delivers a brilliant and engaging exploration of the astonishingly important—yet too often ignored—infrastructure under our feet. Combining an immersive guided tour with a rich conceptual analysis, Michael Pollack reveals sidewalks to be versatile platforms for transit, speech, play, and connection, as well as vulnerable, contested sites that raise a wide range of legal and policy issues. This fascinating book will transform how we think about the sidewalks interwoven into our lives and spark interest in making these essential resources work better. – Lee Anne Fennell, author of The Unbounded Home
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
As mayor, I saw firsthand how much of civic life happens on the sidewalk—from neighbors connecting with one another to protests demanding justice. In Sidewalk Nation, Michael Pollack captures that truth beautifully, showing how something as ordinary as a stretch of pavement holds the power to transform a community. A must-read for anyone who cares about how cities really work. – Svante Myrick, former mayor of Ithaca, New York

Michael Pollack is Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Faculty Development at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

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