To some, "the suburbs" mean bland neighborhoods outside of a vibrant city life. But demographic and land-use changes are making Lakis Polycarpou and others rethink the definitions of "urban" and "suburban."
Jumping off of Emily Badger's article for The Atlantic Cities, Lakis Polycarpou reflects on her question about what is urban and what is suburban. He reasons that this is an important question because defining a city must come before fixing problems ranging "from resource depletion and sustainability, to the nature and shape of our economy, to our physical and emotional health."
After assessing opinions from writers and critics Jane Jacobs and Lewis Mumford, Polycarpou finds that Tarrytown, NY, where he resides, fits an urban description: history, charm, good restaurants, and walkability. However, he still feels that Tarrytown is suburban, reasoning that "No one would confuse this place with New York City," an unequivocally urban area.
To add to the confusion, suburbs are gaining characteristics of urban settings, including ethnic and racial diversity, rising poverty levels, and a growing number of multifamily housing units.
Ultimately, Polycarpou decides that "Maybe it's time to stop worrying so much about the symbolic meaning of general urban categories and to start looking more closely at the specific characteristics of particular places, how they function, and what makes them work the way they do."
FULL STORY: Is it Time to Transcend the 'Urban-Suburban' Divide?
Obituary: Jane Holtz Kay, Architecture Critic for 'The Nation'
"The Nation’s" longtime architecture critic and author of the classic, "Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take it Back" passed away Nov. 5. In her obituary, Preston Shiller contrasts her with another "Jane" - Jacobs.
Remote Work and the Shift to Suburbia
Is the growth of working from home turning America into a ‘suburban nation?’
An Expanded Approach to the Analysis of Cities
Even with so much data in the world, cities are a slippery subject. What if an everyday part of life in cities—the "scenes" comprised by businesses, people, and practices of similarly distinct aesthetics—can help our understanding?
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie