Suburbs are a wholly American invention. Back in the late 1930s, when America had recovered from the worst effects of the Great Depression, most people felt that major cities, which were beset by congestion, poverty, industrial pollution, and blight, needed to be dramatically remodelled. The new model city should be clean, safe, modern, and convenient, with wide open spaces for recreational activities. Suburbs were exactly what we needed then, and they have become even more important today. Suburbs are unique because they combine urban amenities with suburban lifestyle. They offer the benefits of a big city while still allowing you to own your own house or apartment. You can shop at large malls, eat in fancy restaurants, go to concerts, and do many other things that take place in urban centers but live in the quietness of the countryside. This combination is what makes suburbs special and allows them to thrive in a country like America that is known for its love of freedom and the right to own property. Suburbs are also unique because they are increasingly popular all over the world. Even in Europe where you would expect people to prefer living in small towns with good schools and easy access to hospitals, subways, and shops, people instead prefer living in large houses in green areas with lots of space for cars.