The Formula To Guarantee Your Project's Approval

For those developers and planners frustrated by not being able to push projects past local opposition, writer Garret Keizer offers his formula for getting nearly any project approved.

1 minute read

September 8, 2007, 11:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"Fortunately for America and its future, a formula exists whose careful application seldom fails. It deserves to be better known. Here it is."

"Delay announcing your development for as long as possible. Never underestimate the element of surprise. This is not merely a matter of catching your opponents off-guard."

"Never lose an opportunity to outlast your opponents by outspending them. If there's a formal approval process, do everything in your power to prolong it. Amend your proposal. Reschedule your testimony. The new paradigm of "let them eat cake" is "let them hold a bake sale" -- again and again."

"Exploit local divisions."

"Ingratiate yourself with the local authorities."

FULL STORY: How to build whatever you want

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 in The Los Angeles Times

Government / Politics Urban Development United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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