Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream

The essential handbook for ending suburban sprawl and automobile-based settlement patterns

For a decade, Suburban Nation has given voice to a growing movement in North America to put an end to suburban sprawl and replace the last century's automobile-based settlement patterns with a return to more traditional planning. Founders of the Congress for the New Urbanism, Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk are at the forefront of the movement, and even their critics, such as Fred Barnes in The Weekly Standard, recognized that "Suburban Nation is likely to become this movement's bible." A lively lament about the failures of postwar planning, this book offers solutions for creating more accessible, walkable, and vibrant communities.

This tenth anniversary edition includes a new preface by the authors, reflecting on the impact and evolution of the New Urbanism movement over the past decade. Essential reading for urban planners, designers, and anyone interested in creating more livable and sustainable cities, Suburban Nation provides a roadmap for moving beyond sprawl towards a more connected, human-centered future.