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In other words politicians know what is best for private property, and that they are responsible for putting the worker bees in their hives, while they, the politicans, drive past the hives in their limousines

Alas in non-democratic societies, this often happens. Of course, city-planning is a real and time-tested academic pursuit, so it is not done on whims. Politicians who care about their cities sustainability and prospertiy make knowledgable choices. If they are democratically elected and make bad choices they lose their jobs.

Moreover, in the cases of cities, someone has to make the decisions. The limited space, requirements and resources makes them more akin to a ship. A ship is run by the captain, not by market forces.

Although I share your mistrust and dislike of politicians, I would ask you to present an alternative to city-planning that would actually permit a well-organized city?

The socialist view you present of city planning is appropriate for a socialist country not Fort Lauderdale.
Your analogy of a city being like a ship is false as it applies to most cities. Cities are not isolated ships bobbing in abyss. . Until developers recently began bulldozing, people worked in the heart of downtown and lived elsewhere. The inner-city (which is about 1/2 a square mile)was exclusively about business not housing. If you can't afford to live in the heart of the city you will survive quite nicely within minutes of Downtown. No Captain is needed to ensure your survival. . There are an abundance of single family homes and apartments available costing less than 1/2 the price of those listed in the article! If a homeowner/buyer doesn't want to pay the UP-fee of living in the heart of the posh little city he has the option of transporting himself to work. Why is this such a novel concept? Next we will have the crying poor mouth for transportaion (50 cents) as the next great call to Fort Lauderdale Socialism. Certainly Europeans have demonstrated that walking and biking to work is not only FREE but beneficial to the heart and waistline. I say enough of government meddling and price-fixing. The weather is perfect year-round so why not walk 4 blocks and stop whining! Mayor Naugle, should turn this issue into one of integration. The area within walking distance of Downtown Fort Lauderdale with loads of affordable housing is currently inhabited by very few Caucasions. Why should the City of Ft.L step in and mandate pricing because a "family" chooses not to integrate or commute 5 minutes?

Of course, city-planning is a real and time-tested academic pursuit, so it is not done on whims..

The gods dwell in the details.

Some high dollar areas request 1000 sq ft/ person, yet I know of a couple who pay top dollar for less then 200 sq ft in NYC no tub, no shower!!! (They use a portable folding shower gismo).

With most building codes you end up with a cookie cutter landscape. Low income housing equals mini ghettos. There needs to be a way to mix smaller homes with the McMansions, this can only be driven by market forces, if by fiat it will fail. The marketplace requires labor of many values, if you have to import labor the cost go up.

I do not believe that perceived social differences mix well? Any ideas?