Uniform By Design: The Similarities of Suburbs

A Vox video digs into the history of how suburbs came to resemble each other.

1 minute read

August 11, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

"If you’ve visited a suburb, you’ve probably noticed a similar look: same curving streets, same culs-de-sac. It’s not an accident. In fact, this appearance of the suburbs was part of the Federal Housing Administration’s plan," writes Phil Edwards to introduce the video shared above.

"In the 1930s, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) was the financial engine behind most home development. To ensure their investments were safe ones, they strongly recommended that builders and developers comply with the ideals they set. Those regulations aligned closely with the values of the time, including segregation and a burgeoning car culture."

FULL STORY: Why so many suburbs look the same

Friday, August 9, 2019 in Vox

Infrastructure Land Use Urban Development United States Suburbs Suburban Development Car-Centric Planning Master Planned Development Planning 20th Century Planning Cul-De-Sacs View More

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