How do we fix suburbia?  Most residential developments in the U.S. today contain only houses or apartments. These developments are regulated by zoning ordinances that restrict other uses such as commercial or retail development within residential zones. In cities where all uses were co-located, goods and services are located near where people live. In suburbia that's generally not the case. As a result, people get in their cars are drive to the reach these stores, doctor's offices, schools, and just about everything else.

New Urbanism is an attempt to return developments with many different kinds of uses mixed together, within easy walking distance. Suburban Infill is one aspect of New Urbanism, a way of enlivening spread out suburban sprawl by adding new, more dense uses within the existing residential development.

One way to begin would be to change our zoning ordinances to allow some small-scale retail uses within suburban areas. There could be a new industry that could consist of a combined coffee shop/convenience store/community space located within existing developments. How many homes are needed to support the concept? Are people ready to reduce their driving and consider walking or biking to local shops? Or would they merely fight any change as a threat to their existing lifestyle?

Solving the Suburban Zoning Crisis provides a good summary of how our current zoning developed and how New Urbanism is one way into the future.
posted by Bruce Wright at 8:18 PM #