The hidden history of the suburbs

We might think that all suburbs are the same but a dive into the history of suburbia shows something more interesting than shopping malls and housing developments.

Listen 49:04
(Photo Bigstock)

(Photo Bigstock)

Suburbia has long been viewed as an emblem of American sameness, with suburban homes, shopping malls, and parking lots appearing almost identical regardless of whether they’re in California or New York. But a deeper look into the history of the suburbs suggests that they might be more interesting than we think. AMANDA KOLSON HURLEY, CityLab senior editor and author of Radical Suburbs: Experimental Living on the Fringes of the American City, joins us for the hour along with Philly-based suburban developer JASON DUCKWORTH to talk about the history of suburbia and the relationship that Philadelphia has with its suburbs.

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