Houston is a city of sprawling dimensions, with a variety of architectural styles and land use choices. Boundaries between the personal and professional are often nonexistent. What makes Houston unusual is the fact that in many parts of town, homes and schools are next door to factories and refineries. Zoning is not a welcome concept to the general population and ordinances have been repeatedly rejected by the voters. In general, a homeowner or a business owner can do as he or she pleases with their property, following, as Thoreau stated, the highest law: “The highest law gives a thing to him who can use it." Isn't that as it should be? The right to own property and do with it as one pleases appears, on the surface, to be a totally, 100% American right, consistent with the fundamental principles in the Constitution. Yet in most cities in this country, there are laws that limit land use, even to determining what color a front door can be painted or how tall a building can be built. This unit will have students examine their own neighborhoods in order to discover what restrictions do and do not apply in their areas, and provide them with an opportunity to explore the advantages and disadvantages of zoning and city planning or land use ordinances. Students will design neighborhoods, map their own, conduct interviews, research local laws, and argue positions. Background information about Houston's history and development is included for teachers who would like to use the city to contrast to the zoning or other restrictions in their local area.