Definition
A suburb is a residential area or a mixed-use area that exists on the outskirts of a city. Suburbs are typically more spread out in terms of housing and commercial developments compared to urban centers. They often depend on central cities for employment opportunities, trade, and other support services. Suburbs are generally characterized by single-family homes, green spaces, relatively lower population density, and a greater reliance on automobiles.
Examples
-
Levittown, New York: This is one of the earliest and most famous examples of a post-World War II suburban development in the United States.
-
Mississauga, Ontario: A large suburban city in Canada that is part of the Greater Toronto Area. Mississauga provides ample residential space while depending on Toronto for a majority of employment opportunities and support services.
-
Woking, Surrey: A town in the south-east of England that serves as a popular suburb for commuters working in London due to its excellent transport links.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the common characteristics of suburbs?
Suburbs typically feature lower population density than urban areas, single-family homes, more open space, reliance on personal cars, and general dependence on nearby cities for employment and support services.
How are suburbs different from rural areas?
While both suburbs and rural areas have lower population densities compared to urban centers, rural areas are primarily characterized by agricultural activities and vast open spaces, whereas suburbs are developed residential areas.
What factors drive the growth of suburbs?
Factors driving suburban growth include the desire for more living space, better schools, lower crime rates, and a higher quality of life compared to densely populated urban centers.
Are suburbs only a phenomenon in the United States?
No, suburbs are a global phenomenon. Many countries, including Canada, the UK, Australia, and others, feature suburban areas surrounding major cities.
How do people commute from suburbs to cities?
Most suburban residents rely on private cars for their daily commute, though many suburbs are also served by public transportation systems such as trains, buses, and subways connecting to major urban centers.
Related Terms with Definitions
-
Urban Sprawl: The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into suburban and rural areas, often leading to increased reliance on automobiles.
-
Zoning: The legislative process that governs land use, aiming to segregate different types of uses such as residential, commercial, and industrial.
-
Exurb: A district outside a city, typically a prosperous area beyond the suburbs that is inhabited mostly by people who commute to the city.
-
Greenbelt: A zone of open land around a city, in which building is restricted, aimed at containing urban sprawl.
Online Resources
References
- “The Evolution of American Suburban Housing”, Journal of Urban History, 2020.
- “Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream” by Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- Crabgrass Frontier: The Suburbanization of the United States by Kenneth T. Jackson: A comprehensive examination of American suburbanization.
- Edge City: Life on the New Frontier by Joel Garreau: A detailed study on the phenomenon of emerging suburban areas that function like urban centers.
- The High Cost of Free Parking by Donald Shoup: An analysis of the economic and social impact of parking policies on urban settings.
