ABSTRACT
This chapter is targeted towards GIS professionals and is intended to serve as a concise overview about the history of land use planning and zoning in the United States. This chapter examines the demographic shifts that occurred in the late 19th century that shaped a wave of urbanization and suburbanization trends. We also discuss the technological and transportation innovations that spurred suburbanization. The aftermath of World War II and a wave of returning veterans created a housing crisis that was solved by the outward expansion of cities into suburbia, Jackson’s (1985) “crabgrass frontier”. This chapter discusses the most serious consequences of these urban development trends including displacement and gentrification.
