Final answer:
The city exercises eminent domain when it forces you to sell your land for public use, in accordance with the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment, which requires fair compensation and that the property is used for public benefit.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the city forces you to sell them your land for public use, this is done by exercising eminent domain. The Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution gives governments the right to take private property for public use, provided there are two conditions: 1) the owner is paid a fair amount for the property, and 2) the property is used for a purpose that benefits the public, such as a school or new road. Furthermore, the court has ruled in cases such as Kelo v. City of New London (2005) that private property can be seized for economic development projects if they serve a public purpose, broadening the interpretation of "public use" to include "public purpose".