The US has also exercised eminent domain historically. We can do it. American cities weren’t all government property before Uncle Sam put highways through many of them. It might be wise to revisit this for other improvements.

When the Chinese government exercises eminent domain, my understanding is that many people want their homes to be targeted because of the (comparatively) lucrative payouts. Cash neutralizes concerns 1, 2, and 3.

Now that people in California have held their homes long enough, buying them out is a lot more expensive. There are better ways to make the numbers work, though.