Suburbs

Definition

Suburbs are residential areas located on the outskirts of a city or large town. They are typically less densely populated than the urban core and offer a more spacious, residential environment for people to live in, often with access to more green spaces and lower-density housing options.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Suburbs emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the overcrowding and poor living conditions in urban centers.
2. The development of suburbs was facilitated by the rise of public transportation, such as streetcars and commuter rail, which allowed people to live farther from their workplaces.
3. Suburbs often offer a quieter, more family-friendly environment compared to the bustle of the city, with larger homes, more green spaces, and lower crime rates.
4. The growth of suburbs has led to the phenomenon of urban sprawl, where low-density development spreads outward, often consuming agricultural land and increasing car dependency.
5. Zoning regulations have played a significant role in shaping the development of suburbs, with the separation of residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

Review Questions

• Explain how the rise of public transportation contributed to the development of suburbs.
  • The emergence of public transportation systems, such as streetcars and commuter rail, allowed people to live farther from their workplaces in the city center. This enabled the growth of suburbs, as residents could now commute to the city for work while enjoying the more spacious, residential environment of the suburbs. The availability of public transportation was a key factor in facilitating the decentralization of urban populations and the expansion of suburban areas.
• Describe how the growth of suburbs has led to the phenomenon of urban sprawl.
  • The development of suburbs has often resulted in urban sprawl, which is the uncontrolled or unplanned expansion of urban and suburban areas into the surrounding countryside. Suburbs are typically characterized by low-density, car-dependent development, with large lots, single-family homes, and a separation of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. This pattern of growth has consumed significant amounts of agricultural land and natural habitats, while increasing reliance on private vehicles for transportation. The spread of suburbs has contributed to the environmental and social challenges associated with urban sprawl, such as increased greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity, and the segregation of communities based on socioeconomic status.
• Analyze the role of zoning regulations in shaping the development of suburbs.
  • Zoning regulations have played a crucial role in the development of suburbs by dictating the permitted land uses and the density of development. Suburban zoning often enforces the separation of residential, commercial, and industrial areas, promoting a low-density, car-dependent pattern of growth. This has led to the creation of homogeneous, single-use neighborhoods that are disconnected from each other, making it difficult for residents to access amenities and services without relying on private vehicles. The strict enforcement of zoning regulations has also limited the diversity of housing options in suburbs, contributing to the socioeconomic segregation of communities. The way in which zoning has shaped suburban development has had significant implications for the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of these areas.

Related terms

Commuter Belt: Also known as a metropolitan area or metro area, a commuter belt is the surrounding region of a city where many people live and commute to the city center for work.

Sprawl: The uncontrolled or unplanned expansion of urban or suburban areas into the surrounding countryside, often resulting in low-density, car-dependent development.

Zoning: The division of land in a municipality into zones (such as residential, commercial, or industrial) in which certain land uses are permitted and others are not.