Is the growth of working from home turning America into a ‘suburban nation?’

As the rapid shift to remote work freed many Americans from their commutes, leading them to seek more affordable housing options farther from urban centers, the American suburb is experiencing a renaissance, writes Chloe Berger in Fortune, as “the pandemic has given new legs to the idyllic, then dreaded, then beloved suburban lifestyle.”
According to new data from a Bank of America study, “Older millennials (age 31-41) are almost three times as likely to move into a house than an apartment.” According to BofA, “43% to 45% of millennials—of every age—expect to buy a house in the suburbs.”
But Berger notes that today’s suburbia differs from the past. “One of suburbia’s worst qualities or stereotypes was its pervasive whiteness, now with the surge in interest the suburbs are starting to grow to reflect the diversity of the country at large. Big suburbs are actually now more racially diverse than the nation, according to a Brookings analysis.”
This all begs the question, what do we want the suburbs of the future to look like? Are homeownership and access to open space incompatible with walkable, dense, transit-oriented places, or can the suburbs be reimagined to be more sustainable, complete communities?
FULL STORY: Remote work is turning America into a ‘suburban nation,’ a massive millennial survey by BofA finds

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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