The purpose of this book has been twofold. First, it investigates the emergence of a phenomenon that is fascinating in its own right, particularly from a sociological perspective. The New Urbanism claims to create community through design, embodies a significant shift in direction for suburban development in the United States, and represents a complex, collective effort across professional boundaries. Moreover, it makes places relatively appealing even to this elitist, urbanist eye. In doing all of these things, the New Urbanism reveals precisely how complex the social-material relationship is within the built environment. This is its sociological appeal.