Today, the horizons of American life are constrained by a built environment that has not significantly changed since the 1970s.
American cities used to constantly evolve, experimenting with new urban designs and ambitious infrastructure projects, from railroads and subways to public housing and shopping malls.
But now we keep pursuing the same 20th century urban development plans. This pattern is why Americans are so dependent on their cars, why housing is so expensive and homelessness is at crisis levels, and why downtowns are struggling and communities are fraying.
