Tuesdays at APA: The Evolution of Our Suburbs

The Evolution of Our Suburbs
March 16, 2010


For the last few decades the Chicago region has been
suburbanizing with little regard to energy use, climate change,
and urban form. The relentless pursuit of property tax revenue
and a focus on single uses and single-site developments distracts
many suburban communities from the task of planning for a
sustainable and livable built environment.


As planners, what should be our approach to the future of our
suburbs? Can we afford to continue the growth and development
patterns of the past few decades? Are there new growth patterns
and new development tools that we can get ready now to be
prepared for a different future?


Mahender Vasandani from M Square Urban Design shared thoughts on
these and other questions in an effort to start a dialogue among
planners about where we go from here and how.