The Negative Effect of Suburban Design on Teenage Life
Teenagers are drastically left out of the picture when suburban communities are
planned. Today’s teens have no place to make their own and little space to enjoy freedom. Essentially, teenagers living in suburbs are living an adult life- on a schedule, going places only by means of a vehicle, few places to meet, and limited access to pursue socialization on their own
time. ''They're basically an unseen population until they pierce their noses,'' said William
Morrish, a professor of architecture and the director of the Design Center for American Urban Landscape at the University of Minnesota. ''They have access to computers and weaponry. The sense of alienation that might come from isolation or neglect will have a much larger impact than it might have before. And there are no questions coming from the design community about what we can be doing about this. We don't invite them in." 1
So what how we design suburban communities that aid in optimal youth opportunity and growth? Access is a recurring theme in many studies and articles on this topic. Resources for opportunity need to be made available to teenagers, and not only by the escort of a guardian. This can come in the form of a nearby public library, a neighborhood ball field or park, and grocery or retail establishments within walking or biking distances. Additional communal yard or green space with benches, perhaps shuffle board, and basketball courts that is available by stepping out of one’s front door would provide great opportunities for youth to meet together outside of the home.
1 William L. Hamilton, “How Suburban Design is Failing Teen-agers”, New York Times, May 1999. Accessed
February 21, 2012 http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/06/garden/how-suburban-design-is-failing-teen-agers.html
February 21, 2012 http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/06/garden/how-suburban-design-is-failing-teen-agers.html
i think this would be an interesting research opportunity to actually ask the source [teenagers] what type of programs, places, and spaces they would desire in their own communities.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it would be an interesting study to hear straight from the minds of teenagers what they wish was incorporated into their communities.
ReplyDeleteErica,
You highlight a very important thought: teenagers are on an adult schedule, and they are completely dependent on an adult to go anywhere and do anything. I remember how my parents and other parents in the neighborhood had to constantly worry about car pool situations, and it always threw off the schedule when someone was late, sick, forgot it was their week, etc. That's stressful for the kids too!! With so many families today, both parents work and their kids are involved in anything and everything under the sun. I don't know how parents and teenagers do it! The thing that always irked me was the fact that teachers, coaches, etc. would punish you if you were late (because you were supposed to be responsible and act like an adult), when in actuality, it was your ride that made you late!! By not allowing teenagers to begin to spread their wings in their own community, their independence is "stunted" by the time they are able to go out on their own and drive.