In their plan for Seaside in Florida, Duany and Plater-Zyberk had their first chance to build their concepts, and the development has had a very influential role in the Neotraditional movement. Such developments are oriented to the use of public transit, and include mixed uses, pedestrianism, and a transit terminal at a central location. Although 90 percent of new construction has been in the suburbs, few urban designers and planners have applied themselves to these problems. They are designed with plenty of wide, sweeping roads and with lots of parking. Being a pedestrian in the suburbs, however, is discouraged.
Suburbs are also about carefully separating different uses.
In fact, there is a fantastic separation of uses. This is especially ironic, considering that the need for separation of land uses was a product of the 19th century, when there were many noxious and unhealthy land uses that needed to be separated off, especially from residential areas. In the late 20th century, nearly all land uses are compatible, and there is little need to separate residential from commercial or industrial areas. As a result of this shift to a suburban pattern of growth, Americans now have a high standard of living, but a low quality of life. As a result of sprawl, our leisure hours are being spent in the car commuting to and from work.