The Freedoms of Suburbia

"Suburban" is regularly used as a dismissive rather than a descriptive term, especially by architects and planners. And yet, judging by the sheer number of people who move there, suburbia must be doing something right. It is best to understand, Paul Barker writes, before rushing to condemn. Suburbs are an essential part of every city; quite often, the most vigorous and innovative part. Here, Barker leads an entertaining journey through Britain’s ’burbs: a white witch living in a Croydon semi-detached; a high-rise block being razed; the hidden charms of the modern planned community of Milton Keynes; seaside bungalows and strip malls on the edge of town. With a keen eye for detail, Barker paints a humane yet provocative portrait of 21st-century living. And he throws down a gauntlet to anyone thinking about the future of cities, towns, and countryside, arguing persuasively that what is needed is less planning, not more.