How the Crash Will Reshape America

Posted: February 19th, 2009 | Author: | Tags: , | No Comments »

Richard Florida’s counterpoint to David Brooks’ piece on the American unshakable desire for a suburban/exurban liefstyle.

The crash of 2008 continues to reverberate loudly nationwide—destroying jobs, bankrupting businesses, and displacing homeowners. But already, it has damaged some places much more severely than others. On the other side of the crisis, America’s economic landscape will look very different than it does today. What fate will the coming years hold for New York, Charlotte, Detroit, Las Vegas? Will the suburbs be ineffably changed? Which cities and regions can come back strong? And which will never come back at all?

via: The Atlantic Online

I Dream of Denver

Posted: February 19th, 2009 | Author: | Tags: | No Comments »

Looking for an academic exploration of the suburban/exurban experience a la Learning from Las Vegas. Suggestions?

The time has finally come, some writers are predicting, when Americans will finally repent. They’ll move back to the urban core. They will ride more bicycles, have smaller homes and tinier fridges and rediscover the joys of dense community — and maybe even superior beer.

America will, in short, finally begin to look a little more like Amsterdam.

Well, Amsterdam is a wonderful city, but Americans never seem to want to live there. And even now, in this moment of chastening pain, they don’t seem to want the Dutch option.

via: NYTimes