Sidewalks: A Suburban Battleground

Neighbors across the country are clashing over whether or not to build sidewalks in their neighborhoods.

1 minute read

March 10, 2011, 7:00 AM PST

One neighborhood, in suburban Chicago, compromised and built half a sidewalk.

"Sidewalks are dividing neighbors in a number of places across the country. The tension has grown more acute in recent years as young families in suburbs seek to make their communities more walkable, perhaps even reminiscent of the cities they fled. Town planners largely welcome the trend, but amid shrinking municipal budgets, localities and their residents squabble over who should pay-developers, communities or homeowners themselves.

And then there's the more entrenched opposition from longtime residents: the foot soldiers against footpaths."

FULL STORY: Bruised Feelings and Skinned Knees Litter Suburban Sidewalk Politics

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 in The Wall Street Journal

Government / Politics Infrastructure Land Use Landscape Architecture Social / Demographics United States Sidewalks Neighbors Safety Pedestrians Neighborhoods View More

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