“a majority of all racial and ethnic groups in large metro areas live outside the city. Suburban Asians and Hispanics already had topped 50 percent in 2000, and blacks joined them by 2008, rising from 43 percent in those eight years”. – Associated Press.
There’s still a lean towards white residents in suburbia, but what this analysis shows is that the traditional suburban makeup is changing, and indeed becoming more multi cultural. ‘White flight’ is in reversal.
A reason for this pattern according to Brookings Institution is that;
“city growth spread and accelerated between 2006 and 2008, as many core urban areas realized a “windfall” of residents due to the impact of the housing slump on movement to the suburbs”.
The implication of this is that suburbs are now holding poorer populations. This leads to the question, will suburbs be the new slums?
The implication of this is that suburbs are now holding poorer populations. This leads to the question, will suburbs be the new slums?
In terms of urban design this white flight reversal can be seen as favourable. Traditionally white families are a conventional lot and want their quarter acre section with the white picket fence. However this data suggests that more compact urban design – with smaller dwellings and section- can be viably popularised amongst a now wider market, minorities and whites. This more sustainable urban design, rather than sprawl, will be beneficial.
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