May 5, 2006

Eminent Domain to be Explored at UCSB Economics Conference

Eileen Conrad

National experts on eminent domain, the public condemnation of private property for public use, will gather at UC Santa Barbara on May 12 and 13 to present talks on a wide range of related topics, including the potential abuse of eminent domain, compensation rules, and the problem of the hold out.

The conference, organized by UCSB's Department of Economics, is titled "Takings." It will begin each day at 9 a.m. in the State Street Room of the University Center.

The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

The use of eminent domain has implications for the environment, individual liberty, economic efficiency, and community development.

It is particularly relevant today in the wake of a recent and controversial Supreme Court ruling that local governments may force property owners to sell out and make way for private economic development when officials decide it would benefit the public, even if the property is not blighted and the new project's success is not guaranteed.

For information about the conference visit http://www.econ.ucsb.edu/about_us/news.html.

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