Suburbs Become the New Cities

Small towns like Carmel, Indiana have gained national prominence after redeveloping into "cities where people can live, work and play," writes Haya El Nassar.

1 minute read

October 18, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By Jessica Hsu


"It's a trend emerging in an increasing number of commuter suburbs," observes Nassar, "from Texas and Colorado to Alabama, continuing to blur the lines between urban and suburban." The former bedroom community of Carmel, Indiana is a prime example of this new type of hybrid community with its "cosmopolitan flair unusual in suburbia." Having "forged a national reputation because of its embrace of the arts, European-style street design and urban housing," Money magazine ranked Carmel the No. 1 best place to live this year, reports Nassar.

"These small but growing towns are applying some of the most forward-thinking planning tenets to create true downtowns, art districts and new traffic patterns that alleviate congestion and encourage walking. They're changing zoning to build city-style condos and apartments above stores. And they're getting away from big parking lots and strip malls by putting parking underground and behind stores." Nassar notes, "Often, the downtowns are created around a new city hall, transit stations, arts center - or all three." Other notable small cities that have successfully undergone this smart growth transformation include Homewood, Alabama; West Jordan, Utah; Lakewood, Colorado; and Southlake, Texas.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 in USA Today

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

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.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Blue and white Amazon trucks parked at loading docks at warehouse.

Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom

The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.

15 minutes ago - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of schoolyard in Oakland, California with newly planted trees, sports courts, and playground equipment.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds

With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

April 2 - FacilitiesNet

Power lines at golden hour with downtown Los Angeles in far background.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas

Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

April 2 - Los Angeles Times