The Tragedy of Suburbia

Summary: James Howard Kunstler calls suburban sprawl "the greatest misallocation of resources the world has ever known." His arguments bring a new lens to urban development, drawing clear connections between physical spaces and cultural vitality. His confrontational approach and propensity for doomsday scenarios make Kunstler a lightning rod for controversy and critics. But his magnificent rants are underscored with logic and his books Geography of Nowhere and The Long Emergency are widely read, particularly by architectural critics and urban planners. In this TEDTalk, Kunstler discusses how public spaces should be inspired centers of civic life and the physical manifestation of the common good.