The Life of North American Suburbs

"Drawing on major metropoles and smaller cities across the US and Canada, and the rather outlying case of Mexico City, the authors (primarily geographers) map varied suburban forms and beliefs from Vancouver to Miami, while looking closely at issues of race and political-economic struggles that focus on the dynamics of suburbs and central cities in the late-20th and early-21st centuries. Each essay's argument is comprehensive, compelling, and valuable for classroom us."

G. W. McDonogh, Bryn Mawr College, CHOICE

"Through the case studies presented in each of the chapters, The Life of North American Suburbs demonstrates the diversity and movement away from a stereotypical, post-war portrait of North American suburbs."

Elizabeth C. Delmelle, Department of Geography & Earth Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

"This timely and fascinating book – rooted in empirics but resting upon strong theoretical bases – gathers the work of eminent urban scholars, each presenting detailed and thoughtful analyses of suburbs and suburbanisation in their respective North American cities. Collectively, the chapters formulate a new, textured approach to suburbs. These are presented as places to live, and therefore as spaces of enjoyment, contestation, politics, tension, and storytelling – a kaleidoscopic view that firmly buries stereotypes of suburban uniformity. The book is essential reading for planners, urban geographers, and urban analysts: notwithstanding recent (over)emphasis on central cities and ‘buzzing’ neighbourhoods, the vast majority of metropolitan population – and population growth – remains suburban."

Richard Shearmur, OUQ, MCIP, Director, School of Urban Planning, McGill University