The number of single households has grown three-fold since the 1950s. More sustainable and more likely to live in cities than married households, singles experience a major problem: metro areas are not planned for them but for nuclear families.
Eric Jaffe, with assistance from Devajyoti Deka of the Alan M. Voorhees Transport Centre at Rutgers University, writes about "people living alone", who he dubs "solos" (not to be confused with the transportation version: solo drivers or commuters) or singletons. According to Deka, "when it comes to housing and travel preferences, solos tend to live more sustainable lifestyles", with sustainability measured in terms of:
- Rented apartments over detached single-family-homes
- Commuting shorter distances
- Using public transit more often
One reason for the urban preference for solos is that they make more money and have more employment flexibility in cities.
But here's the paradox: "modern metro areas were largely planned and designed with the nuclear family in mind," says Jaffe. Today 28% of all households are solos. If cities want to attract solos, Deka has two recommendations:
- "Promote and enhance public transportation"
- Recognize that "contrary to much popular belief, there are twice as many elderly solos (above 65) than young ones (18 to 34)." [Perhaps that's why "solos" is used rather than the younger-sounding "singles"]. Housing choices are key: Single-occupancy-studio rentals can play a vital role
Dr. Deka's paper, "The Living, Moving and Travel Behaviour of the Growing American Solo: Implications for Cities", was published July 05 in Urban Studies. The abstract is available free, while the text requires a subscription to Urban Studies.
Readers may recall that the growing numbers of singletons was the topic of NYU sociology professor Eric Kleinberg's 2012 book, "Going Solo"; four articles on it can be accessed below under "Related".
FULL STORY: The Rise of People Living Alone Has Led to More Sustainable Cities

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?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont