Berman v. Parker

Supreme Court of the United States
348 U.S. 26 (1954)

The concept of public welfare is broad and inclusive. The values it represents are spiritual as well as physical, aesthetic as well as monetary. It is within the power of the legislature to determine that the community should be beautiful as well as healthy, spacious as well as clean, well-balanced as well as carefully planned.

Once the objective is within the power of government, the right to realize that objective through eminent domain is clear. The power of eminent domain is merely the means to accomplish an end.

Full Text of Berman v. Parker