Ep. 112: Exurbs

Beginning in the mid-1990s, developers began building new low-density housing developments on the edge of major metropolitan areas: exurbs. These communities were even further from the city center, had even lower population densities, and were even more car dependent than typical American suburbs. Perplexingly, they leaned into their semi-rural character and became hotbeds of rightwing extremism as detailed by David Masciotra in Exurbia Now. But why?

On this week’s episode of Silent Generation, Nathan and Sebastien examine how the built environment influences the political leanings of exurbia. They begin by listing the common characteristics of exurbs before detailing how late stage white flight, longer commute times, and megachurches made them more conservative. They then examine the exurbs of Illinois and Texas, paying particular attention to Prosper, TX. The episode concludes with a discussion about why exurbs are growing and the degree to which “environmental determinism” can account for exurban rightwing extremism.

Links:

Suburbs: A Very Short Introduction by Carl Abbott

List of exurbs in the United States

List of edge cities

"Exurbia": Democracy's Newest Battleground | David Masciotra | TMR

Exurbia Now: The Battleground of American Democracy by David Masciotra

The Exurban Dream vs. The American Dream by David Masciotra

The Exurbs: The Suburban/Rural Transition Zone by Pete Sanders

Exurbs: America's Biggest Housing Trend You Haven't Heard Of by Justin Klawans

The ‘Great Reshuffling’ Is Shifting Wealth to the Exurbs by Laura Forman