Building Suburbia

Preface and Acknowledgments

Part One THE AMERICAN METROPOLITAN LANDSCAPE

One: The Shapes of Suburbia
Two: The Suburban City

Part Two HISTORIC PATTERNS IN THE LANDSCAPE

Three: Borderlands
Four: Picturesque Enclaves
Five: Streetcar Buildouts
Six: Mail-Order and Self-Built Suburbs
Seven: Sitcom Suburbs
Eight: Edge Nodes
Nine: Rural Fringes

Part Three THE NEXT SUBURBS

Ten: Nostalgia and Futurism
Eleven: The Importance of Older Suburbs

Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
A lively and provocative history of the contested landscapes where the majority of Americans now live.

From rustic cottages reached by steamboat to big box stores at the exit ramps of eight-lane highways, Dolores Hayden defines seven eras of suburban development since 1820. An urban historian and architect, she portrays housewives and politicians as well as designers and builders making the decisions that have generated America’s diverse suburbs. Residents have sought home, nature, and community in suburbia. Developers have cherished different dreams, seeking profit from economies of scale and increased suburban densities, while lobbying local and federal government to reduce the risk of real estate speculation. Encompassing environmental controversies as well as the complexities of race, gender, and class, Hayden’s fascinating account will forever alter how we think about the communities we build and inhabit.
Praise for Dolores Hayden’s Building Suburbia

“An engaging and richly illustrated account [that] makes a landmark contribution to this literature.” —The Nation

“Important. . . . Inviting and lucid. . . . [Hayden] shows us that it was not inevitable that our space turned out quite this way.” —Newsweek

“Provocative. . . . Well worth reading.” —Detroit Free Press

“A rich and rewarding book with new and original material and surprising insights. . . . Beautiful and accessible writing . . . fascinating historical narratives. . . . Unlike most commentators, Hayden goes beyond analysis to propose solutions. . . . A welcome and significant addition.” —Constructs

“A lively and informative overview of the American mania for suburban living. . . . Fascinating.” —Audubon Naturalist News

“A fascinating book, as well as an important one.” —Tulsa World