Educational Media Reviews Online

From the initial homogeneous implications to the promise of safer neighborhoods and better schools, the suburbs have been helping to shape modern America for generations. Since nearly half of all American live in the suburbs, they have become a political battleground for every election, ranging from town mayor to the president. Suburban America: Problems and Promise provides insight into the role of suburbs in American history, while discussing their contemporary issues.

The film is narrated entirely by interviews with college professors and political figures, and it tends to reflect the interviewee’s political agenda. While Suburban America discusses the evolution of suburban neighborhoods, both generally and with specific examples, the primary focus is on the need to improve suburban development through public transportation, affordable housing (inclusionary zoning), revitalization of older neighborhoods and sustainability.

This film is very informative, but due to the nature of the interviews is better suited for political science courses than general history.