What is suburbanisation?

Suburbanisation is the migration of people and economic activities from the inner city to the outskirts of a metropolitan area. It has been a prominent feature of urbanisation in the United States and Europe since the 1950s. Suburbanisation is often associated with the growth of the middle class and the increasing use of private automobiles.

Here are some of the factors that have contributed to suburbanisation:

- The growth of the middle class: As the middle class grew in size and affluence, they were able to afford to move out of the inner city and into the suburbs. Suburban areas offered more affordable housing, larger lots, and better access to amenities like shopping, schools, and parks.

- The increasing use of private automobiles: The widespread adoption of private automobiles made it easier for people to commute from the suburbs to work and other activities in the city. This allowed people to live further away from their workplaces and take advantage of the lower housing costs and other benefits of suburban life.

- The decline of the inner city: The inner city of many metropolitan areas declined in the second half of the 20th century as a result of factors like deindustrialisation, crime, and poverty. This led to a further exodus of people and businesses from the city to the suburbs.

Suburbanisation has had a significant impact on the urban landscape. Suburban areas are often characterised by single-family homes, strip malls, and large parking lots. They tend to be more car-dependent and less walkable than inner city neighbourhoods. Suburbanisation has also contributed to the fragmentation of metropolitan areas and the loss of open space.

In recent years, there has been some backlash against suburbanisation as people have become increasingly aware of its negative impacts on the environment and quality of life. There are signs that suburbanisation is slowing down and that people are beginning to move back to the inner city. This trend is being driven by factors like the rising cost of housing in the suburbs, the increasing popularity of public transportation, and the growing desire for urban amenities.