Cities Become Post-Nomadic

After a half-century of ever-increasing mobility, Americans are becoming more sedentary. What does this mean for cities?

1 minute read

November 14, 2001, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"If the emerging 'post-nomadic' trend holds up, real estate investors may need to consider a new paradigm as part of their strategic assessment of markets and properties. The trend towards bigness, sameness and the critical importance of air travel accessibility could fade, as more security-oriented and more locally focused ones come to the fore. Although the impacts may be felt most immediately in recreational and residential spheres, the long-term changes could transform the office, industrial and retail markets as well. Many of these forces, notes demographers such as the University of Michigan's Bill Frey, have to do with long-term demographic trends that well predate the 9/11 tragedy."

Thanks to REISCast Newsletter

Wednesday, November 14, 2001 in REIS

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Glass building with green tree behind it.

EPA Terminates $116 Million in Grants for Reducing Emissions from Construction Materials

C-MORE grants were earmarked for industry trade groups and universities.

March 27 - Inside Climate News

White BART trains passing each other on elevated track in Fruitvale, California.

BART Closes $35 Million Deficit

Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.

March 27 - Mass Transit

Black hearse seen from behind driving on multilane road.

The New Parisian Hearse is a Bicycle

Sleek, silent, and sustainable, a green trip to the graveyard has hit the streets of the French capital.

March 27 - Momentum Magazine