Two Simple Sentences Could Reshape Suburban America

A seemingly innocuous sentence embedded in almost every subdivision ordinance across the United States has disconnected neighborhoods and made cities unwalkable. Two sentences could change that.

1 minute read

October 3, 2017, 8:00 AM PDT

By fieldafm


Cul-de-Sac

Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock

The Standard City Planning Enabling Act, an obscure ordinance published by the Department of Commerce in 1928, has had arguably the largest affect on how U.S. cities are developed. But a new, simple, two-sentence subdivision ordinance could be a huge improvement.

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