As a computer science major, I’ve rarely thought about urban planning or the development of a city.  On the rare occasions when the topic crossed my mind, I oversimplified the process.  I had thought that if there is a need, say for example student housing, then that niche would be quickly filled by a developer building apartments or dormitories.  I did not consider or even imagine the implications and conversations that occur between the city’s council and the developer.  And while I now realize the importance of spacial configurations, building materials, etc., part of me feels that – if you own the property – then you should be allowed to build whatever you want on it.  I was born and raised in suburban Maryland.  My next door neighbor is a horse pasture, and five minutes down the road is a cow farm.  The people in my town can paint their house any color that they want, and use whatever building materials they want to use – as I believe is their right as a property owner.  As a result, I find it difficulty to believe that a trivial detail like building materials, size, or even color would prevent a property owner from building on his or her land.  I realize that buildings must pass certain safety and wellness regulations, and I haven’t lived in a city for any significant amount of time, but I am disturbed – and perhaps this is a result of my upbringing in suburbia – that a group of people not living on your property can influence and control what you can and cannot build on it simply because it does not fit the image that they want their city to project.