ABSTRACT
This chapter consists of two parts; the first is a general discussion of the real estate development process, and the second contains three case studies describing how one significant actor in the development process influenced final outcomes. The general discussion begins with a description of the actors – local public officials, developers, professional planners, and citizens. The context in which development takes place is considered next, and the planning process used in the local jurisdiction follows. A discussion of specific policies used to set out the rules for development concludes the general discussion. The three case studies focus on the roles played by an individual real estate developer, a mayor, and a planning official. Donald J. Trump organized the redevelopment of an old hotel into the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City; Mayor Richard J. Daley originated the plan for the revitalization of downtown Chicago that began in the 1950s; and Edmond Bacon was the planning official in Philadelphia who influenced various projects to renew the central city. In each case the prime mover in the process had to convince others to agree to the projects in question and to make use of the skills of several types of professionals whose special skills contributed to the final outcomes.
