What is a Suburb? Understanding Suburban Development and Its Characteristics

Suburban development, often referred to as sprawl, is a distinctive pattern of growth that has significantly shaped the landscape of many regions. Urban planners and community developers frequently view sprawl as a form of expansion that lacks quality and sustainability. Characterizing sprawl involves understanding several key elements that distinguish it from more compact and integrated urban forms.

Defining Suburban Sprawl: Key Characteristics

Suburban sprawl is typically identified by four primary factors that contribute to its unique form and impact on communities:

Low Development Density: This refers to the relatively sparse distribution of buildings and infrastructure across a given area. Unlike dense urban centers with apartment buildings and closely packed houses, suburbs are characterized by single-family homes on larger lots, expansive lawns, and significant distances between buildings. This low density necessitates more land consumption for housing and other developments.
Separated Homes, Shops, and Workplaces: A hallmark of suburban sprawl is the functional segregation of land use. Residential areas are distinct from commercial zones and industrial parks. This separation means that daily activities—living, shopping, working, and recreation—occur in geographically isolated locations. Consequently, residents often rely heavily on automobiles to navigate between these separated zones.
Lack of Activity Centers and Downtowns: Traditional urban areas often feature vibrant downtowns or central hubs that serve as focal points for social, economic, and civic life. In contrast, sprawling suburbs typically lack these concentrated activity centers. Instead of a central gathering place, commercial activities are often dispersed along strip malls and large shopping centers, diminishing the sense of community and walkability.
Poor Street Connectivity: Suburban street networks are frequently designed with cul-de-sacs, winding roads, and hierarchical street systems. This layout prioritizes vehicular traffic and often results in poor connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists. Grid-like street patterns, which are common in older urban areas and promote walkability and bikeability, are less prevalent in sprawled suburbs. This disconnected streetscape makes it challenging to travel between locations without a car and reduces opportunities for spontaneous social interactions.

The Consequences of Suburban Sprawl

The characteristics of suburban sprawl have been linked to a range of negative consequences that affect individuals and communities alike. Smart Growth America, a leading organization advocating for sustainable development, highlights the detrimental impacts of sprawl in contrast to the benefits of compact, connected areas. According to their research, sprawl is associated with:

Reduced Physical Activity: The car-dependent nature of sprawled suburbs discourages walking and cycling. The distances between destinations and the lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure contribute to sedentary lifestyles and reduced levels of physical activity.
Reduced Air Quality: Increased vehicle miles traveled in sprawling areas lead to higher levels of air pollution. Traffic congestion and longer commutes contribute to smog and respiratory problems, impacting public health and environmental quality.
Reduced Social Interaction: The physical separation and car-centric design of suburbs can diminish opportunities for social interaction and community building. Lack of walkable public spaces and reliance on private vehicles can lead to social isolation and weaker community ties.
Increased Obesity: The combination of reduced physical activity and limited access to healthy food options in some sprawling areas contributes to higher rates of obesity and related health issues.
Increased Risk of Traffic Fatalities: Despite the perception of suburbs as safer, sprawling areas often experience higher rates of traffic fatalities per capita. This is partly due to wider roads designed for higher speeds and increased vehicle miles traveled.
Increased Emergency Response Times: Low-density development and disconnected street networks can hinder emergency services, leading to longer response times for ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles.
Increased Commute Distances, Times, and Costs: Living in sprawled suburbs often entails longer commutes to work, shopping, and other destinations. This translates to increased time spent in traffic, higher transportation costs (fuel, vehicle maintenance), and reduced time for other activities.

Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles in Suburbs

While sprawl presents challenges, suburban areas also possess unique opportunities to promote healthy and active lifestyles for their residents. Many suburbs are characterized by access to facilities and resources that can be leveraged to encourage physical activity:

Playgrounds and Sports Fields: Suburbs often feature numerous parks and recreational areas with playgrounds, sports fields, and courts for various sports, providing spaces for outdoor activities for children and adults.
Sidewalks and Bikeways: Many suburban communities are investing in expanding and improving sidewalk and bikeway networks. These infrastructures create safer and more appealing environments for walking, running, and cycling for both recreation and transportation.
Greenways and Trails: The availability of greenways and nature trails is a significant asset in many suburbs. These linear parks and trails offer opportunities for walking, hiking, and cycling in natural settings, promoting both physical activity and connection with nature.
Public Swimming Pools and Lakes: Access to public swimming pools and lakes provides opportunities for water-based activities and recreation, particularly during warmer months, contributing to overall fitness and well-being.
Nature Parks and Pet Parks: Suburban areas often include nature parks and dedicated pet parks. Nature parks offer spaces for exploration, relaxation, and nature appreciation, while pet parks provide designated areas for dogs to exercise and socialize, encouraging pet owners to be more active.
Active Transportation to School: Promoting walking, biking, and bus riding to school can significantly increase physical activity levels among children and teenagers, fostering healthy habits from a young age.

The Role of Planning and Economic Development

Effective planning and strategic economic development are crucial for shaping the future of suburbs and mitigating the negative impacts of sprawl. Various organizations and initiatives play vital roles in guiding suburban development:

Metropolitan and Transportation Planning Organizations (MPOs/TPOs): In areas with populations of 50,000 or greater, MPOs and TPOs are responsible for transportation planning. They administer federal funding and provide technical expertise for transportation projects, aiming to create comprehensive and coordinated transportation systems that serve the needs of the entire metropolitan area.
Development Districts: Development districts, composed of municipal and county governments, facilitate regional cooperation on planning and development. They bring together elected officials and community leaders to address regional issues, promote economic development, and foster collaboration across jurisdictions.
Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD): State-level agencies like Tennessee’s ECD offer programs and resources to support quality of life improvements and economic development in communities. These may include grants, technical assistance, and initiatives focused on community revitalization, downtown development, and attracting new businesses.
Zoning Policies: Zoning, a fundamental land-use planning tool, plays a critical role in shaping suburban development patterns. Zoning policies determine what types of land uses are permitted in specific areas, influencing factors such as density, housing types, and the mix of residential, commercial, and industrial activities. Thoughtful zoning can encourage mixed-use development, promote walkability, and support a greater variety of housing options, helping to counter sprawl and create more vibrant and sustainable suburbs.

The Importance of Green Space Conservation

Conserving green space in suburban areas is essential for environmental sustainability, community well-being, and economic vitality. As suburbs grow, rapid development can encroach upon valuable natural areas, leading to several negative consequences. Protecting green spaces offers numerous benefits:

Environmental Protection: Green spaces, including wetlands, forests, and prairies, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. They help to purify air and water, reduce stormwater runoff, support biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Property Value Preservation: Contrary to concerns that green spaces reduce land available for development, studies show that proximity to parks and natural areas often enhances property values. Green spaces make neighborhoods more desirable places to live, increasing the attractiveness and value of nearby homes.
Health and Well-being: Access to green spaces provides opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and stress reduction. Exposure to nature has been linked to improved mental and physical health, fostering healthier and happier communities.
Economic Benefits: Green spaces, such as parks, forests, and scenic areas, can attract tourists and visitors, generating economic activity and supporting local businesses. Outdoor recreational activities like hiking, bird watching, and fishing contribute to local economies.

Various strategies can be employed to preserve green space in suburban areas:

Conservation Development: This approach to land development prioritizes environmental protection by clustering development and preserving significant portions of a site as open space. Conservation developments aim to minimize environmental impact while still allowing for responsible growth.
Land Trusts and Conservation Easements: Land trusts are non-profit organizations that work to conserve land by acquiring land or conservation easements. Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements that restrict development on a property to protect its natural resources or scenic value in perpetuity. Land trusts and easements are valuable tools for long-term green space preservation.

Multimodal Transportation: Enhancing Suburban Mobility

Multimodal transportation systems are vital for creating more accessible, equitable, and sustainable suburbs. Multimodal transportation planning focuses on providing a variety of transportation options to meet the diverse needs of all residents, regardless of age, ability, or income. This includes:

Walking and Cycling Infrastructure: Investing in sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian crossings creates safer and more convenient environments for walking and cycling. These improvements encourage active transportation, reduce reliance on cars, and enhance community connectivity.
Public Transit Systems: Expanding and improving public transit options, such as bus routes, light rail, and commuter rail, provides alternatives to driving and increases mobility for those who cannot or prefer not to drive. Effective public transit can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance access to jobs and services.
Connectivity and Integration: Multimodal transportation planning emphasizes the seamless integration of different modes of transportation. This means creating connections between walking, cycling, public transit, and автомобили, making it easier for people to choose the most appropriate mode for each trip.

By embracing multimodal transportation, suburban communities can create more vibrant, accessible, and sustainable environments that offer residents greater freedom of movement and a higher quality of life. As the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) emphasizes, robust walking, biking, and transit facilities are essential for the continued growth and success of towns and cities, meeting the evolving transportation preferences of both millennial and baby boomer generations who increasingly seek diverse mobility options in their communities.