Interested observers have been predicting a crest of the American "back to the city" movement for years now—the idea that as Millennials come of age they will lose interest in urban lifestyles and seek the comfort of the suburbs.
Joe Cortright pushed back on the narrative of "suburban triumphalism" that has been emerging in the national media lately—i.e., that "the era of the city is over, and that Americans, including young adults, are ready to decamp to the suburbs." Cortright identifies recent appearances by Jed Kolko, Joel Kotkin, Conor Sen, and Joel Garreau as evidence of this narrative.
Cortright offers a list of counter-arguments to that viewpoint, including critiques of the total numbers, the geographic units used to measure the trends, the numbers used to measure the trends, and other points about development capacity in cities.
Cortright digs in greater detail into the specifics of each counter-argument, but one big point is that prices—much higher in cities—tell a story of high demand and constrained supply. If cities weren't so popular, they'd be cheaper.
Cortright also looks at Chicago as a case study of an urban core outperforming its suburban communities relative to historic trends. Cortright also offers this conclusion: "When you look city-by-city at the data, its apparent that urban centers are extremely robust, are attracting more talented young workers, and the firms who want to employ them."
FULL STORY: A critical look at suburban triumphalism
AIA: Demand for High-Density Development Is Down
For the first time in four years, a quarterly survey indicates “market saturation in urban areas.”
Young Adults Aren't Fleeing Cities—Quite the Contrary
Joe Cortright presents the antidote to an emerging narrative about the shifting lifestyle preferences of young adults (i.e., Millennials).
Richard Florida: 'The Urban Revival Is Over'
The author of the "The Rise of the Creative Class" and the "New Urban Crisis" says cities have had their moment.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
SoCal Leaders Debate Moving Coastal Rail Line
Train tracks running along the Pacific Ocean are in danger from sea level rise, but residents are divided on how to fix the problem.
Are Mobility Hubs Child-Friendly?
‘Mobility hubs’ aim to make urban travel easier by connecting travel modes. Adding more services could make them more accessible and useful to women and families.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research