Downtowns Don't Matter Anymore.

The article discusses the changing importance of downtown areas in cities, using Austin, Texas as an example. It highlights the trend of population and job growth moving to the suburbs and exurbs, while downtown areas experience an increase in office vacancies. The rise of remote work, accelerated by the pandemic, has allowed professionals to work further away from their place of employment, favoring suburban areas. The article argues that transportation policy should focus on connecting whole regions through roads and telecommunications, rather than prioritizing downtown areas. Planned communities in suburbs and exurbs are seen as successful adaptations to contemporary conditions, offering amenities and environmental sustainability. [Extracted from the article]

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