Joel Kotkin recently argued that America is becoming more suburban. Tim Evans says that it's easy to draw that conclusion "when you define 'suburb' so loosely that it includes just about everything."
Evans is a blogger with New Jersey Future, a non-profit, smart growth advocacy organization based in Trenton, NJ. He says Kotkin's article was sent to him because it dismisses the efforts of organizations such as his that promote urban revitalization.
Evans writes:
"Are we all wrong? Is the resurgent city just wishful thinking?
Or is there something misleading about Kotkin's analysis? Those familiar with Kotkin know that he is a frequent critic of cities and defender of suburbia, so it is not unreasonable to harbor the suspicion that he might be slanting his analysis to lowball the degree to which many of the country's (and New Jersey's) urban areas are reviving their fortunes.
In fact, this is exactly what he'a doing. It's easy to say that "America is becoming more suburban" when you define "suburb" so loosely that it includes just about everything. The problem with Kotkin's analysis is in his very expansive definition of 'suburb.'"
Thanks to Jay Corbalis
FULL STORY: Is Jersey City a Suburb? Joel Kotkin Thinks So.
How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?
Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.
First Model Homes Revealed in Disney-Built Community
Disney’s Cotino, in the Southern California desert, is the first of the company’s ‘Storybook Living’ developments.
Cincinnati Seeks to Repurpose Its Unused Subway Tunnel
City officials are looking for proposals to use Cincinnati's long-abandoned subway tunnels, but not for transit; they already tried that.
President Sets New Deadline for Replacing Lead Pipes
U.S. cities are charged with replacing dangerous lead pipes and improving drinking water quality within the next 13 years.
400-Year-Old Oak Tree Designated as Historic Landmark
The tree’s landmark status celebrates its deep-rooted history and symbolizes the community's dedication to preserving local ecological treasures.
Arizona Native Community Launches First Solar-Over-Canal Project
Covering an irrigation canal with solar panels doubles its utility, producing renewable energy while protecting canal infrastructure and reducing water evaporation.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
BluePoint Planning
Economic & Planning Systems
Village of Glen Ellyn
Washington University
World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
City of Portland, ME
Baton Rouge Area Foundation