The Freedoms of Suburbia

"Suburban" is regularly used as a dismissive rather than a descriptive term, especially by architects and planners. And yet, judging by the sheer number of people who move there, suburbia must be doing something right. It is best to understand, Paul Barker writes, before rushing to condemn. Suburbs are an essential part of every city; quite often, the most vigorous and innovative part. Here, Barker leads an entertaining journey through Britain’s ’burbs: a white witch living in a Croydon semi-…