Final answer:
To construct a bridge, a raised railroad, or a skyscraper, one requires property rights and complies with laws like eminent domain, which allows taking private property for public use with fair compensation. Zoning laws and court decisions influence the balance between private rights and public needs in such projects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of rights required to build a bridge, a raised railroad, or a skyscraper would typically involve property rights and permissions under various laws and regulations. The primary legal instrument likely to be invoked in these circumstances is eminent domain, which allows the government or its agents to take private property for public use, with the requirement that compensation be paid to the property owners at a fair market value. The use cases of eminent domain have been traditionally for creating transportation corridors such as railroads and highways, which serve the greater public good.
Large urban projects have economic and societal implications, often triggering discussions about individual versus collective needs. For instance, the construction of the New York skyscrapers demonstrated not only the real estate value but also the role of zoning laws, such as the 1916 Setback Law, in shaping urban landscapes while maintaining accessibility to sunlight and air for city inhabitants. When building such infrastructures, the debate over what constitutes the 'greater public good' and who decides the fair price for the land or properties taken is central. Court cases like Kelo v. the City of New London and Gibbons v. Ogden illustrate the tensions and conflicts that can arise in determining the balance between private rights and public needs.