0923 Suburbs: A Very Short Introduction explores the history and development of suburban communities around the world. Since the nineteenth century, advances in transportation have enabled people to live farther away from city centres. Railways, streetcars and automobiles have contributed to the rapid expansion of suburban areas. However, suburban development varies considerably across countries. In the United States, suburbs are often characterised by detached houses and heavy reliance on cars. In contrast, many European and East Asian suburbs consist of high-rise apartment buildings. In other regions, residents have built their own communities with limited government support. Suburbs are also important centres of employment, commerce and technological innovation. Nevertheless, suburban expansion can contribute to urban sprawl, car dependency and social segregation. The book argues that suburbs should not be regarded merely as extensions of cities. Instead, they are distinctive commun...