Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the
Decline of the American Dream makes the buzzwords “new
urbanism” come alive. The authors, who are community planners, have
written and designed an easily accessible and smartly illustrated
book, which is not surprising, since Andres Duany, Elizabeth
Plater-Zyberk and Jeff Speck believe that what works to build a
thriving community is rational design. They prefer streets that are
narrow and homey and a village square that draws both the eye and
community events. They like neighborhoods rather than isolating cul
de sacs, and they encourage sidewalks for pedestrians. In other
words, these “neo-traditionalists” champion small towns. When
growth occurs, they urge, focus it in towns that already exist and
mix up uses to allow diversity of income. Here’s one of their
zoning tips: Allow corner stores; they will cut down on the need to
drive to buy sundries and encourage impromptu meetings with
neighbors.
True, it is disheartening to realize
that what’s new in urban planning is what was old and disdained by
developers after World War II. But how wonderful to see the values
of living in a vibrant community emerge again, seeming new because
we’ve suffered so long with “placeless”
suburbs.
Suburban Nation: The Rise of
Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream, by Andres
Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Jeff Speck, North Point Press.
Hardcover: $30. 290 pages.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Bring back towns.
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