History of Urban Development

The history of urban development is the story of why and how our communities have developed the way they have. Development patterns vary across the United States; for example, many eastern cities were built before the automobile while many western cities were built after, leading to dramatic differences in transportation networks, housing, shopping districts, and work places. The history of development also includes urbanization, suburbanization, and issues like racial segregation, and gentrification. In recent years, urban development has focused more on creative placemaking to build equitable and sustainable neighborhoods within cities.