Preserving Suburbia, or Not

Suburban historical landmark" may sound like an oxymoron, but as the cookie-cutter subdivisions developed after World War II turn 50, many of the ramblers lining their streets are becoming eligible for historic preservation. Governing (Oct. 2006) reports that architecture historians are struggling with the idea of what elements, if any, should indeed be protected. Some preservationists consider the suburban tracts of ranch houses antiurban and antipedestrian, and therefore unworthy of historic designation. Others argue that examples of the style, even if they aren't beautiful, should be preserved for future generations. But first, historians need to figure out what actually constitutes a good example of post-World War II architecture and planning; then they need to sort through the sheer magnitude of ramblers built in that era to figure out what to preserve. (Source, Utne Reader)