Suburbs Are Here To Stay, So Stop Complaining

Planning and related professions should stop condemning suburbs -- and focus on making them better.

1 minute read

February 14, 2005, 5:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Since 1950, 93 percent of all metropolitan growth has taken place in the suburbs. More importantly, this pattern continued during the energy crisis and, despite the downtown hype, is showing no real sign of slacking off.

The biggest reason for this triumph is not the "conspiracy" of big oil and freeway builders oft-cited by enviro-activists, but the simple desires of ordinary people—not only in America but in most rich countries—to own a piece of land, however humble, where they may live in relative comfort and peace.

...To many urbanists, the rise of suburbia represents the death-knell of the city... Creating a better suburban future is a noble—and potentially very profitable—calling."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 in Architecture

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