Lee Malatesta . # .

The missing element in your analysis: The cost of labor.

Most suburbs in the US (and I\'m assuming Australia) are dependent on inexpensive labor to tend the yards, do the housework, etc. Without a nearby city with less expensive, higher density housing, most suburbs would not work. I would think that if trends such as widespread suburban permaculture took off, this would be exacerbated as it takes far more labor to tend and harvest crops than it does to tend a lawn.

Not that I think this is an insurmountable problem. I\'m only bringing it up because it seems like something that ought to be addressed.

I also think you ought to be a bit more clear about the community aspect of suburbs. I don\'t think that there is any evidence that community varies according to the urban/suburban/exurban/rural distinction as community is largely a function of the desire of the people in a neighborhood to be social. As long as people desire community, communities will obtain. If you know of any objections to the ability of suburbs to grow communities, present them and explain why they do not pan out.

Lastly, I think it interesting that your description of the suburb as the future sounds remarkably like a plantation. This is not a criticism, merely a curiosity.