Suburbia is Ruining America

The Spread Of Suburban Developments Causes Harm To Our Society

by Kelly Zhang OPINIONS STAFF

Outside of major cities, you’ll realize that most American neighborhoods look and function the same. No matter where you go, you’ll find seas of empty parking lots, big box chain stores and endless rows of McMansions. In addition to being a huge eyesore, these suburbs are incredibly drab, depressing and somewhat dystopian. Many of us can sense this on some level, but the question is, what really makes living in suburbia so soul crushing?

For decades, suburbia had been the embodiment of the American dream for millions. To the postwar generation, it represented a newfound hope for freedom and upward mobility. But as the years pass, it’s finally time for us to wake up from the American dream and face reality.

One of the first problems you’ll notice living in the suburbs is that cars are prioritized over people. Large highways and parking lots seem to dominate the landscape, making driving the most dominant form of transportation. Because so much space is dedicated for vehicles, our communities lack the public spaces that promote social interaction, such as parks, plazas and sidewalks. This makes it extremely difficult for people to walk or bike anywhere and contributes to a large sense of isolation and disconnect from those around us. On top of environmental issues, car traffic also creates dangerous roads, leading many parents to keep their kids trapped in the safety of their homes. Therefore, most children will not develop a sense of independence or autonomy until they are old enough to own a car themselves. This horrific lack of socialization has deeply contributed to the desolation that is plaguing our society today.

In addition, the introduction of suburban develop-

170 million

8:1 ments has largely increased social and economic inequality within our cities. Suburban houses take up more space and resources per unit, with the majority of funds and opportunities concentrated in these areas. This has created a sort of “suburban elite” in which these wealthier suburbs are able to access better schools, safer neighborhoods and more resources than non-suburbs. Consequently, many urban areas have become neglected and underfunded, leading to the rise of crime and poverty.

While originally intended to provide a better quality of life for American families, it’s clear that the consequences of this failed suburban experiment have already begun to grow out of control. At this point, our government must break away from the car-centric norm and invest in building more sustainable infrastructure. Only then will our country be able to bring community driven development back to the people.

Get millions of likes!

Make cool videos!

Meet people!

Be Yourself! Create! 12+ It's Safe!

Make tons of friends!

Gain Followers!

Make $$$ Be famous! Have fun!

Follow rules! BecomePopular!

Meet people!

Follow rules! Gain Followers! Make tons of friends!

12+ It's Safe!

Get millions of likes! Be Yourself! Create! Have fun!