Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream

Suburban nation is great book which discusses some of the key issues regarding urban sprawl how it can be detrimental to the socio-economic elements of the United States. The book argues that we need more integrated neighbourhoods with multiuse zoning in order to build a sustainable society that isn’t based around the car. It advocates pro-pedestrian policies and critiques designs which put the car in front of pedestrians and common use facilities. It is full of pictures and examples of what it deems good and bad planning and explains all of the concepts it advocates modestly. I give it four stars because I feel that it could expand somewhat with some of the ideas & concepts it advocates. For example, the book urges cities to use traditional narrow streets, but doesn’t really give too many examples other than brief citations. The book changes the way you view cities and really makes you look at suburbs scornfully rather than a paradise retreat in the countryside—excellent work.

Foundational work that launched the career of Jeff Speck. Does a fantastic job of laying out all the consequences of America's love affair with suburban sprawl, appropriate for a non-technical audience. Cites plenty of research to back up claims of harm, especially for children who are forced to grow up in unwalkable cul-de-sac neighborhoods. Especially shines when discussing concrete actions for planners, engineers, and architects - goes so far as to provide checklists for consideration as staff make critical decisions about the design of the built environment. An excellent start in the Jeff Speck anthology, and a primer to understand why the Congress for New Urbanism was created.

Makes a great case for abolishing the stupid way we build our cities.