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

• Read an excerpt from Suburban Nation now.
• Read the Preface to the 10th Anniversary Edition.

This is the chilling picture painted by Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Jeff Speck in Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. Armed with dozens of photos and caustic wit, the authors bombard us with darkly comical factoids:

• The average American household takes 13 car trips per day.
• American families spend four times more than European families on transportation.
• Suburbanites are more likely than city dwellers to be killed or injured by traffic accidents or crime.
• Traffic gets worse -- not better -- when roads are widened.

The authors are pioneers in the rapidly growing movement known as New Urbanism. Duany and Plater-Zyberk launched the groundbreaking Congress for the New Urbanism which strives to promote the creation of pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Jeff Speck is director of town planning at Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co. The firm is noted for designing pristine communities such as Seaside, Florida, and Kentlands, Maryland.

Old-fashioned neighborhoods with walkable roads and corner shops may seem idyllic, but New Urbanist philosophies are not universally embraced. Critics say that pretty communities like Kentlands, Maryland, and Seaside, Florida, are as isolated as the suburbs they try to replace. Moreover, many New Urbanist communities are considered pricey and exclusive.

The debates can grow heated. Over the past 10 years, much has been written about New Urbanism, pro and con. But, for Seaside Haters, Suburban Nation presents a strong defense. The book is not merely a dewy-eyed idealization of old-fashioned neighborhood models or a condemnation of Wal-Mart. Instead, the authors identify specific problems -- and achievable solutions, complete with checklists, planning guides and resources.

Historically, Americans have rebuilt their communities every 50 to 60 years. In Suburban Nation, Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Jeff Speck tell us that it's not too late to "untangle the mess."

After reading this manifesto, even Seaside Haters may feel a glimmer of hope.

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