Urbanism, Suburbanism and The Good Life

Host Fred Barnes (political commentator) expands on the views neo-traditionalist versus new urbanists, and interviews Andres Duany, Ray Suarez, Mike Burton, Executive Director of Metro in Portland, Oregon, author Joel Garreau, Congressman Earl Blumenaeur (D-Portland), author Alan Pisarski, and other leading advocates and opponents of planning. "Once we were a rural nation, then we urbanized and the American dream became a home in the suburbs. Now we're told that this dream is inappropriate if not improper." The documentary discusses California's urban sprawl issues and examines Portland's urban growth boundary as an example of planning efforts to combat sprawl. Barnes leaves the viewer with an overall negative perception of the smart growth movement and the role of the planner.