Sidewalks: A Suburban Battleground

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."