And the Discussion on the Future of Suburbia Continues
On the Times’ Freakonomics blog, leading urban theorists are debating what we’ve been talking about around here lately: the future of suburbia. The “smart people” they gathered to pontificate include James Kunstler, Thomas Antus, Jan Brueckner, Gary Gates, John Archer, Alan Berube and Lawrence Levy, who offered these predictions: The suburbs have three destinies, none…
On the Times’ Freakonomics blog, leading urban theorists are debating what we’ve been talking about around here lately: the future of suburbia. The “smart people” they gathered to pontificate include James Kunstler, Thomas Antus, Jan Brueckner, Gary Gates, John Archer, Alan Berube and Lawrence Levy, who offered these predictions: The suburbs have three destinies, none of them exclusive: as materials salvage, as slums, and as ruins. Or: If [gentrification] continues in a significant way, large numbers of suburban households looking for urban stimulation may end up switching places with minority central-city dwellers, stirring the ethnic pot in both places. Or, this vision: Suburbia will be flexible, it will be smarter, and it will be hybrid. So which is it?
What Is the Future of Suburbia? [Freakonomics Blog]
Suburbia. Photo by Stacy Magallon.
We don’t live in North Slope anymore so I wasn’t getting defensive about my territory. You were just wrong and I was pointing it out, “i disagree”.
Calm down everyone…both republicans and democrats have f^$ed things up royally in the past…remember Jimmy Carter? Its just that the republicans have done it this time around. Vote your conscience. But don’t let this turn out to be another example of the Wilder Effect if you say you are for Obama!!!
suburban dude –
mamaroneck avenue is brutal, u really cant be serious? I havent been there in a few yrs (so maybe it has changed), but used to be filled with thugs, meatheads, and manhattanville college girls. Park slope has some cool spots, including dram shop, union hall, and southpaw (all of which appeal to diff crowds).
Given the state of this country at this point in time, I have to wonder how someone can question MANY people’s (not just in Brownstone Brooklyn) disdain for the Republican Party at this point in time.
I’m trying to be more open minded and channel my hatred towards the current administration (and not ALL Republicans) but if you don’t recognize that 82% of this country currently thinks we are headed in the wrong direction, then I’m glad we aren’t neighbors.
Suburbandude, U R so smrt and kewl. I am idiot. U R right.
7andfive – clearly you didn’t read the article. it makes the point that the suburbs will no longer be suburbs but infact what you stated:
“In most of Europe (with the exception of France & UK) there is new movement to change the suburbs. Where it mirrors urban areas- schools, grocery stores, entertainment all within walking distance of these huge mixed style developments. But also with green space and car garages. So this hybrid approach could be were we headed- that’s if our city planners had any sense.”
this would not effect places like westchester like someone else stated.
living in the city is far more interesting than living in the ‘burbs, but it is much more expensive and i do believe it’s a bigger compromise. i used to live in nyc and when i moved to bk, it was a shock not to be able to walk to everything. i was also frustated that many places did not deliver. i love it here now and would never move to the ‘burbs – the furthest i would go to get that feel is ditmas park.
Most experts (and I haven’t read tons but just from what I’ve seen) say the ideal is always a balanced mix of high density and houses and green space. Brooklyn has that, Manhattan does not and the suburbs don’t, true.
simmer down, traditionalmod. just making a point of geography. i love that B/Q stop and i love all you north slope people.
MM…you are so right that “small town America” is different from suburban America. Lots of “small town America” that was dependent upon a particular industry has deteriorated. Small towns that are thriving are usually those with an influx of city people with money to “gentrify” and all the other problems that brings to those places…the one I see the most is animosity among everyone when someone brings their lawyer to fight the local zoning board!!!!