North American Suburbs: Post-WWII Trends

This lecture explores the emergence of large-scale suburbanization in North American cities during the post-World War II era, characterized by low-density outward growth and changing consumption practices in the real estate market. It delves into the factors promoting suburbanization, such as increases in real incomes, homeownership preferences, and rapid population growth. The lecture also discusses the consequences of suburbanization, including class and racial tensions, environmental costs, and social isolation. It concludes by proposing alternative development models to promote more compact and resource-efficient urban regions, emphasizing the need for greater cooperation and integration across municipalities.