UMass Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press

Reshaping the American Suburb

Book Jacket: "A Better Place to Live" by P. Langdon

Philip Langdon

Nominated for the 1996 Ray and Pat Browne Award of the Popular Culture Association

A highly praised critique of the modern suburb

What is it about modern American suburbs that has led to so much dissatisfaction? How has the typical suburban design of the past fifty years exacerbated the stress of daily life, and what better alternatives can be found? Philip Langdon crisscrossed the country to see how suburbs are being built and to interview designers, developers, planners, and residents. The first results of his research were published in a cover story in the Atlantic. Since then, he has broadened his analysis to create this well-illustrated and highly readable book.

"American suburbs foster social isolation, dependence on the automobile, long commutes, and segregation of land use, thereby contributing to family distress and urban decay. That damning verdict by Langdon . . . informs a much-needed visionary critique of suburban planning and life-styles. . . . Compelling reading for those concerned with the declining quality of life, his well-illustrated analysis will serve as a sourcebook for planners, architects, builders, and designers."

Publishers Weekly
"A vital contribution to a too-often neglected issue."

Kirkus Reviews
"An excellent journalistic study of the 'neo-traditional' approach to town planning, which seeks to build suburbs designed deliberately to foster some of the oft-celebrated qualities of small towns: next-door neighbors who know each other, local gathering places where strangers can converse freely, attractive public spaces that encourage foot traffic."

Wall Street Journal
"Ought to be required reading for every developer, planner, politician, architect, and home buyer."

San Diego Union-Tribune

Philip Langdon has written five previous books, including Orange Roofs, Golden Arches: The Architecture of American Chain Restaurants; American Houses; and Urban Excellence. He is author, with Steve Thomas, of This Old House Kitchens and This Old House Bathrooms.

American Studies / Urban Design
288 pp., 104 illustrations
LC 93-42348
$24.95t paper, ISBN 1-55849-106-6
1997

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