Interesting item on changing demographics and future development patterns from Arch Daily
I worked for two successful (at the time) engineering/planning/surveying firms during the "boom" of the mid 2000's. One focused on development in two outlying commuter towns, the other in urban infill and redevelopment. Both greatly reduced their workforce in 2008 (the latter of the two let 20% of the staff go on one day, myself included).
Now, almost four years later, the "suburban" firm is still barely treading water - down from five two-man crews when I was there to a couple of guys with robots (are you still a party "chief" if you have no indians?). The firm that specialized in more urban work has not only bounced back, but has grown about 10% above their peak in 2007-2008.
Very interesting. I'm so far out in the boondocks I'm not sure how an exurb is defined. Is that another name for a 'bedroom community'?
The only statistic shown that is relevant to me is the 109 percent increase in the cost of gasoline between 2001 and 2009.
Those of us in rural areas hope the masses stay as far away as possible from where we are. Be that in exurbs, suburbs or inner cities. Please stay there.
> Very interesting. I'm so far out in the boondocks I'm not sure how an exurb is defined. Is that another name for a 'bedroom community'?
Pretty much. The way I define it is that the suburbs are part of the "urban mass" of the city and the exurbs are further out, with an undeveloped area between the two.
I believe you're in Kansas; so just guessing from looking at a map around Wichita, Park City and Andover would be suburbs, Haysville and Derby would be emerging suburbs, and Newton & El Norado would be exurbs.
As the masses flock towards the 'city of gravity' in their area those of us in rural areas will again appear to be quite distant.....as we chat on our smart phones while emailing business data. We represent the links of the long chains holding the West Coast to the East Coast and the Southwest to New England. Chains are full of holes, but, strength must exist in every link for the common good.
