Fronteras: the Changing America Desk reporters are visiting communities across the Southwest to gauge what life is like in a post economic housing boom. It’s part of an all-new series called Beyond Sprawl - Rethinking the Southwestern Economy, Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, on listener-supported KJZZ 91.5.
About the series: Beyond Sprawl will examine Zombie subdivisions -- half-built housing developments in the suburbs -- and what communities are doing to manage them for the future, as well as life in new, co-housing developments that are trying to accommodate the changing demographics of 21st century communities. The series will also look at urban movements to create “live, work and play” communities, the impact of foreign investors who are taking advantage of historically low housing prices and how southwestern cities are trying to transition their weakening construction industry into more promising high-tech industries.
Tune into KJZZ's Morning Edition (3-9 a.m.) and All Things Considered (3-6 p.m.) to hear these stories and then check back for additional resources and links to hear them online. NOV. 28 - RETHINKING THE PAST: ZOMBIE SUBDIVISIONS - Peter O’Dowd Zombie subdivisions are half-built housing developments scattered across Maricopa County. They are symbols of our past mistakes, our ferocious rush to build, and a reminder that during this lull we have reached a turning point. Some economists are pushing the concept of “Smart Decline” -- a recognition that shrinking a city in decay may be more sustainable than promoting rampant growth. The practice may be hard to swallow in the wide-open West, but some cities hit hardest by the housing bust acknowledge the importance of re-thinking old models of growth.NOV. 28 - PIN POSTCARD: WATCHING THE BUST FIRST-HAND A first-person commentary from Phoenix realtor Laura Oeinck, who became a realtor in August 2008, during the real estate bust. In January 2009, she also began working for a company that sent her to visit homeowners who were delinquent on their mortgages. She gives a compelling and poignant description of what she saw firsthand as foreclosures began to devastate neighborhoods and sweep from the suburbs toward the city. NOV. 29 - RETHINKING RESIDENTIAL: CUL-DE-SACS OF THE FUTURE- Devin Browne
NOV. 30 - RETHINKING DOWNTOWN: GAMBLING ON DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS - Jude Joffe-Block DEC. 1 - RETHINKING BUYERS: FOREIGN ANGELS? - Jude Joffe-Block DEC. 2 - RETHINKING JOBS: BEYOND CONSTRUCTION - Jill Replogle
JAN. 17 - TOWN HALL MEETING AT RIO SALADO COLLEGE
Visit fronterasdesk.org to engage in the dialogue online.
KJZZ’s Fronteras: the Changing America Desk is made possible in part by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and APS.
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KJZZ Launches New Series: Beyond Sprawl
