Eric Jaffe of The Atlantic Cities talks with writer Leigh Gallagher about her new book, The End of the Suburbs: Where the American Dream Is Moving, and her opinions on the rapidly evolving American housing market.
A major shift is occurring in suburban and urban environments, highlighted by recent studies on population growth in city centers, shifting attitudes about driving, and rapidly increasing urban home values.
During an interview with Eric Jaffe of The Atlantic Cities, Leigh Gallagher states that although these recent trends are accelerating, it is unrealistic and impractical to assume everyone will want to migrate to an urban setting, but that a “big part of the future will be ‘urban burbs.’ Suburbs that are adapting or already exist in this fashion. Where they have a walkable downtown, a pleasant place to take a stroll and bump into people, and where it's possible to live in closer proximity to the things you need to do everyday.”
Gallagher's new book, The End of the Suburbs: Where the American Dream Is Moving, asserts that there are several reasons why the suburbs were poorly designed, and why they are currently making millions of people people really unhappy. She notes that "somewhere along the way the American Dream morphed from being a dream, an opportunity, to being a house,” but that is no longer the case.
She concludes the interview by stating how far we actually are from this idealized “urban burb” style of living, and that the most important thing for us to do is to follow what current market demand is telling us, and recognize that we can't continue doing what we’ve been doing.
FULL STORY: The Suburbs Are Dead, Long Live the Suburbs

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions