The emergence of the uburb (pronounced “you-burb”) is changing the residential landscape of our cities. Arising from urban and suburban densification and the sprawl that unites the two, it is evolving at speed and is already identifiable – albeit in its incipient stages – in New York, San Francisco, London, and Berlin.
Aside from being an uber suburb, a uburb embodies a different kind of lifestyle in the city. Synonymous with the quality of life often sought in suburbia, the uburb offers the convenience and proximity found only in an urban environment.
However, unlike the suburb, which separates work and home lives, the uburb revolves around cultural density, access to amenities, transport and entertainment. This ensuing renaissance of the inner city has witnessed the concurrent decline of the suburb, as referenced in a recent report by the Smith Institute.
The advent of the uburb shines a new spotlight on the evolution of our cities, enabling us to anticipate, accommodate and adapt to forthcoming behavioural trends and paradigm shifts.
Defined by an attitude manifested in millennials, generation alpha and digital natives, the uburb is personified by a curiosity to seek borderless communities, share and find new experiences. Offering the utmost in convenience, inhabitants collide, encounter new people, and curate lifestyle. The trend among empty-nesters of moving to the city to access multifaceted culture also exemplifies the mindset of many uburbanites.
Populated by those who do not segregate work life/home life/private life, the uburb is most pronounced in areas that are active 24 hours a day – whether in a residential, retail or commercial setting – and thus the uburb accelerates the 24-hour economy.
Universities, tech and design sectors are prime examples of uburban hotspots, in which 9-5 is an antiquated working day and where end-users seek uninterrupted access to studios, classrooms, offices, coffee shops and bars.
There is a robust commercial argument for the fully integrated uburban model. A 24-hour operation drives greater density, maximises use and increases revenues. Furthermore, a multifunctional offer is less vulnerable to turbulent market conditions.
However, is the uburb really as new as it seems? Reflecting on London’s history, the great estates built high-quality, high-density districts comprising places to live and work within a comprehensive and considered framework. Their appeal stands firm and they remain among the most sought-after areas in the capital.
The uburbs of today are driven by a similar catalyst of densification. Lack of affordability precludes city dwellers from buying or renting spacious homes, and they are forced to spend more time occupying communal settings, placing renewed emphasis on the supporting infrastructure of residential architecture.
Influence comes from overseas too. Taking cues from the mega-resorts of Las Vegas and 24-hour developments of Tokyo, which offer fully integrated experiences of living, sleeping, working and congregating at one site, London’s developers are emulating similar efficiencies in real estate – in turn cultivating pockets of uburbia.
So far, so uburban. But what challenges could the uburb face in the long term?
The planning process remains very segregated into use classes, and needs to modernise away from the assumption that “mixed-use” means haphazard. In addition, local authorities often grapple with how to accommodate both residential and leisure functions in the same place.
Meanwhile, investment funds can be guilty of specialising in one category of real estate, but to deny the profit potential of integrated schemes could be to the detriment of their fiduciary obligations.
Finally, risks around affordability could encourage uburbanites to flee in search of a new home without the hefty price tag. As a footloose community driven by experience, they could make their exit before anyone has realised its happening, leaving cities socio-culturally bereft.
As uburbs become formalised and, dare I say, mainstream, there is always the risk that surrounding communities might object to their arrival; however, cities are dynamic and ever-changing, and as soon as they are stifled, they expire. We must encourage local government and planners to pave the way for us to drive through plans for uburbia, for not only will it bring convenience, proximity, and cultural riches, but economic growth too.
Duncan Swinhoe is regional managing principal, Gensler
