Suburbia R.I.P.

Interesting reading. Looking at the deleterious effects of suburbanization of the countryside, it would be nice if that activity was curbed. It doesn’t seem possible that the suburbs themselves would vanish in much of St. Louis County, or even that it would be a good thing if they did.

Interestingly, my very urban neighborhood of Tower Grove Heights

was a fairly early attempt at suburbanization. The ad for the auction seemed excited about the “transformation” into residential areas. By the time the neighborhood was 50 years old, most residents were fleeing for the county. Maybe, as the article suggests, there will be a similar flight from the county back into the city for the reasons of energy efficiency. My take: Not likely.

Commerce and industry (aka JOBS) have also slowly moved into areas surrounding the city. We also have another urban “hub” in Clayton, so my guess would be that the abandonment described in this article may be limited to the fringes of the metro area, Franklin County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, and the Metro East.