American cities lack a unifying vision as new suburban model gains traction

Cities once thrived on geographic advantages and later on visionary concepts such as the Creative Class and Global City, which emphasized talent, technology, tolerance and elite financial services. By the late 2010s those paradigms proved too homogeneous and elitist, prompting criticism amid rising racial-justice concerns, policing debates and a post-COVID exodus to the suburbs. In response, an upscale suburban model called Prime Suburbia has emerged, offering walkable mixed-use districts, cultural events, high-quality infrastructure and centrist, business-friendly governance, exemplified by places like Carmel, Indiana, and Plano, Texas.

While these suburbs attract affluent residents and corporate relocations, they also confront steep housing prices and a cultural gap compared with traditional cities. The piece concludes that without a new, compelling urban vision that can attract people, capital and leadership, American cities risk continued decline.