Sequel to Suburbia

Glimpses of America's Post-Suburban Future

Nonfiction, Art & Architecture, Architecture, Planning, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, City Planning & Urban Development, Science & Nature, Nature
Cover of the book Sequel to Suburbia by Nicholas A. Phelps, The MIT Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Nicholas A. Phelps ISBN: 9780262330756
Publisher: The MIT Press Publication: December 9, 2015
Imprint: The MIT Press Language: English
Author: Nicholas A. Phelps
ISBN: 9780262330756
Publisher: The MIT Press
Publication: December 9, 2015
Imprint: The MIT Press
Language: English

How the decentralized, automobile-oriented, and fuel-consuming model of American suburban development might change.

In the years after World War II, a distinctly American model for suburban development emerged. The expansive rings of outer suburbs that formed around major cities were decentralized and automobile oriented, an embodiment of America's postwar mass-production, mass-consumption economy. But alternate models for suburbia, including “transit-oriented development,” “smart growth,” and “New Urbanism,” have inspired critiques of suburbanization and experiments in post-suburban ways of living. In Sequel to Suburbia, Nicholas Phelps considers the possible post-suburban future, offering historical and theoretical context as well as case studies of transforming communities.

Phelps first locates these outer suburban rings within wider metropolitan spaces, describes the suburbs as a “spatial fix” for the postwar capitalist economy, and examines the political and governmental obstacles to reworking suburban space. He then presents three glimpses of post-suburban America, looking at Kendall-Dadeland (in Miami-Dade County, Florida), Tysons Corner (in Fairfax County, Virginia), and Schaumburg, Illinois (near Chicago). He shows Kendall-Dadeland to be an isolated New Urbanism success; describes the re-planning of Tysons Corner to include a retrofitted central downtown area; and examines Schaumburg's position as a regional capital for Chicago's northwest suburbs. As these cases show, the reworking of suburban space and the accompanying political process will not be left to a small group of architects, planners, and politicians. Post-suburban politics will have to command the approval of the residents of suburbia.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How the decentralized, automobile-oriented, and fuel-consuming model of American suburban development might change.

In the years after World War II, a distinctly American model for suburban development emerged. The expansive rings of outer suburbs that formed around major cities were decentralized and automobile oriented, an embodiment of America's postwar mass-production, mass-consumption economy. But alternate models for suburbia, including “transit-oriented development,” “smart growth,” and “New Urbanism,” have inspired critiques of suburbanization and experiments in post-suburban ways of living. In Sequel to Suburbia, Nicholas Phelps considers the possible post-suburban future, offering historical and theoretical context as well as case studies of transforming communities.

Phelps first locates these outer suburban rings within wider metropolitan spaces, describes the suburbs as a “spatial fix” for the postwar capitalist economy, and examines the political and governmental obstacles to reworking suburban space. He then presents three glimpses of post-suburban America, looking at Kendall-Dadeland (in Miami-Dade County, Florida), Tysons Corner (in Fairfax County, Virginia), and Schaumburg, Illinois (near Chicago). He shows Kendall-Dadeland to be an isolated New Urbanism success; describes the re-planning of Tysons Corner to include a retrofitted central downtown area; and examines Schaumburg's position as a regional capital for Chicago's northwest suburbs. As these cases show, the reworking of suburban space and the accompanying political process will not be left to a small group of architects, planners, and politicians. Post-suburban politics will have to command the approval of the residents of suburbia.

More books from The MIT Press

Cover of the book Thai Art by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Waste Is Information by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Low Power to the People by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Customer-Centric Marketing by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Inborn Knowledge by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book The Eugenic Mind Project by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Altered States of Consciousness by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Quantum Language and the Migration of Scientific Concepts by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book You'll see this message when it is too late by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book The Cost-Benefit Revolution by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Renewables by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Philosophy, Technology, and the Environment by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Computer Games for Learning by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Why Photography Matters by Nicholas A. Phelps
Cover of the book Walking in Berlin by Nicholas A. Phelps
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy