On Street Level: Random Thoughts on our Urban World

I recently found an interesting article at breitbart.com detailing the continual rise of american style suburbs overseas.  The marketability of America overseas is nothing new, especially in countries such as China, yet since the recession in the 90′s, development of entire American-style suburbs has increased internationally.  In fact, in a 2006 survey of American Institute of Architects members, the number of billings for international locations has doubled in just four years.  Today, you will find suburbs with names such as Orange County in Asia, Latin America, Africa and even Eastern Europe.  Perhaps the most interesting quote in the whole article is the one from University of Michighan professor Robert Fishman who is quoted as saying that “it’s too bad that we as Americans are turning away from suburban sprawl as Asia adopts it.”  And I was always under the assumption the it was probably for the best that America turns away from the sprawl of our suburbs.   Click here to read the article in it’s entirenty.