Retrofitting Suburbia...
The concept of retrofitting suburbia is a complex one that has gained increasing attention in recent years. Essentially, retrofitting suburbia involves transforming existing suburban areas into more walkable, sustainable, and livable communities by increasing access to public transportation, redesigning streets to make them more pedestrian-friendly, and promoting the development of more compact, mixed-use neighborhoods.
Theoretically, retrofitting suburbia involves promoting more compact, mixed-use neighborhoods that provide a range of housing options and community amenities, to reduce transportation costs and encourage social interaction among residents. However, we have to keep in mind that the very concept of the suburbs was and is geared towards a very specific clientele leading to the creation of its synonymous typology - large, single-family homes and expansive lawns. The exclusivity of owning one's own house and yard is still very much an aspiration for people, especially in America.
I agree that increasing density by compacting these suburban neighborhoods will help create more meaningful places, but will it just lead to the creation of another typical suburbia further away? I think the answer lies in the user groups that the retrofitted suburbia is directed towards.
The younger, working professional age group seeks more compact, urban-style neighborhoods whereas parents with children might want more space. Maybe the answer lies in "meeting in the middle", retrofitting these suburbs at different scales, thus catering to the needs of different user groups.
Valid points, Ruth. I think that with time suburbia will change. There is a specific demographic that wishes to be pushed far away and isolated into suburbia but I really think that with a few further generations this culture will change. Especially with population increases, the desire for breweries and craft beer for example, or spaces that everyone can enjoy that also has necessary amenities within a closer proximity. Retrofitting suburbia seems to be slowly happening as is. In wealthier suburban neighborhood were businesses can stay busy and keep people employed I've seen businesses, shopping centers, mixed-use developments come about. In my opinion, it's only a matter of time.
ReplyDeleteRuth,
ReplyDeleteI do think that if there was a retrofit for suburbia, the best way to do it would be to do it in different scales. As you mentioned, different groups of people have different needs and amounts of space, we cannot use a general rule of thumb for everyone. There should be variation within the network of organization.