SUBURBS

We live in the suburban era Well over half of all Americans and two thirds of Canadians live in suburbs Tracts of suburban bungalows ring Sydney and Melbourne Suburban apartments rise on the outskirts of Paris Prague Singapore and Beijing Nearly everyone has a strong opinion about suburbs Folks who love dense cities scorn suburbia while people who like big yards dislike bustling sidewalks and subways Social scientists argue whether contemporary suburbs are losing their luster or if a supposed back to the city trend is a mirage a debate that has been exacerbated by uncertainty over the effects of COVID 19 Suburbs A Very Short Introduction tackles two central questions What is the history behind a suburbanizing world What does the suburban trend mean for society politics and culture Two chapters describe the ways that the new technologies of streetcars trains automobiles and internet have allowed the compact cities of Britain and the United States to grow into sprawling metropolitan regions The following chapters explore the vertical suburbs of Europe and East Asia improvised or do it yourself suburbs in both North America Latin America and suburbs as places of employment The book concludes by exploring criticism and praise of suburbs in popular