Final answer:
The process of a city taking private property to build a bridge is known as eminent domain. It's grounded in the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment, which requires that the property be taken for public use and just compensation be provided to the owner. This process has been subject to debate and was notably addressed in the Supreme Court case Kelo v. City of New London.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a city takes private houses through condemnation to build a bridge or any other structure meant for public use, this process is referred to as the exercise of eminent domain. The Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution allows the government to do this, stating that private property can only be taken for public use, in which case the property owner must be provided just compensation.
This matter can lead to debate on issues such as: should the government take private property to provide economic benefit to the entire community? This was a central question in the prominent Supreme Court case, Kelo v. City of New London (2005), where the court decided that the economic benefits intended from private redevelopment projects could indeed qualify as public use.
While eminent domain is essential for public projects, its use has expanded to include economic development purposes, sometimes leading to controversy, especially when private property is taken for projects that benefit private entities, causing public backlash and legal reforms.