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This article that Treehugger sent me to was quite a concept with huge implications for our culture. The basic idea is that peak oil will cause the abandonment of the suburbs and a rapid realignment of our society toward sustainable practices. Those of us that are appalled at the sprawl around Sacramento would like to see this new growth wither and people flock to downtown.

I can’t say I agree with James Howard Kunstler on the rate or effects of peak suburbia. If his predictions came true, I fear American society could become so unstable that it breaks apart. But I don’t think peak suburbia will happen in 5 years – probably more like a couple decades. I foresee more of a race to the bottom where as gas prices increase, Americans respond not by driving less but by looking for cheaper food and cheaper consumer goods. Walmart and Costco sales will actually increase as people seek out these “bargains” to make up for their increase gas costs. Not necessarily the most eco-urban way of living.

Still, we at LJUrban respond to a more proactive calling to begin fixing the problem by providing well designed, reasonably priced, infill housing and access to local food and products and taking a stance against sprawl in order to get policies in place that help us prepare for the future and the peak suburbia it may bring.

Steve