Episode Details

Have you ever driven past the suburbs into that unique zone that feels rural but still relies on the city? In this episode of pplpod, we explore the concept of the "exurb."

Coined by Auguste Comte Spectorsky in 1955, the term mixes "extra" and "urban" to describe the ring of communities located beyond the traditional suburbs. We discuss how these areas are defined by specific criteria: low housing density, rapid population growth that often exceeds the metro average, and a strong economic connection to a nearby metropolis.

Tune in as we examine how exurbs act as an interface between urban and rural landscapes, and look at global examples ranging from Loudoun County, Virginia, to districts in Beijing and Moscow.