
A Continent of Suburbs
Europe's Unseen Post-Suburban Revolution
University of Toronto Press
Published on 9. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
200 pages
978-1-4875-4808-7 (ISBN)
Description
This book challenges the city-centered view of Europe by highlighting the importance of suburbs and peripheries, where millions live. It argues that Europe has long been shaped by suburbanization, which, since World War II, is closely linked to international immigration.
Through historical and geographical analysis, A Continent of Suburbs explores the diversity of suburban models across Europe and expands the 'post-suburban' concept to reflect blurred boundaries and evolving definitions. Social geographer Yannis Tzaninis and sociologist Lorenzo De Vidovich bring their expertise together to study the intersections of these disciplines. Case studies from the Amsterdam and Milan regions illustrate how demographic shifts, mobility, economic change, and land development have created new forms of suburban life. By connecting immigration and suburbanization to broader urban histories, the book offers fresh insights for urban studies, geography, planning, and European studies, and invites readers to see Europe's peripheries as central to understanding the continent's development and future.
Through historical and geographical analysis, A Continent of Suburbs explores the diversity of suburban models across Europe and expands the 'post-suburban' concept to reflect blurred boundaries and evolving definitions. Social geographer Yannis Tzaninis and sociologist Lorenzo De Vidovich bring their expertise together to study the intersections of these disciplines. Case studies from the Amsterdam and Milan regions illustrate how demographic shifts, mobility, economic change, and land development have created new forms of suburban life. By connecting immigration and suburbanization to broader urban histories, the book offers fresh insights for urban studies, geography, planning, and European studies, and invites readers to see Europe's peripheries as central to understanding the continent's development and future.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 150 mm
Width: 228 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
290 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4875-4808-7 (9781487548087)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Yannis Tzaninis is a social geographer at the University of Antwerp and is currently researching the urban political ecology of ports within the framework of YUFE4Postdocs, an EU MSCA COFUND project.
Lorenzo De Vidovich is a sociologist specializing in territorial studies. He has held research fellowships at the University of Trieste and the University of Milan, and is currently a senior researcher at RSE S.p.A. (Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico).
Lorenzo De Vidovich is a sociologist specializing in territorial studies. He has held research fellowships at the University of Trieste and the University of Milan, and is currently a senior researcher at RSE S.p.A. (Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico).
Content
Introduction: A Suburban Continent
Part 1
Chapter 1: Suburban Shifts: Navigating the Evolution of Europe's Urban Landscape
Chapter 2: Suburban Mosaic: Exploring the Diverse Tapestry of Europe's Suburbanizations
Part 2
Chapter 3: Cyclical Chronicles: Dutch Post-suburban Dynamics
Chapter 4: In-between Suburbia: Italy's Post-suburban Realities
Chapter 5: Suburban Dialogues: Contrasting Post-suburban Amsterdam and Milan
Epilogue: Reflecting on Europe's Post-suburban Tomorrow
Bibliography
Part 1
Chapter 1: Suburban Shifts: Navigating the Evolution of Europe's Urban Landscape
Chapter 2: Suburban Mosaic: Exploring the Diverse Tapestry of Europe's Suburbanizations
Part 2
Chapter 3: Cyclical Chronicles: Dutch Post-suburban Dynamics
Chapter 4: In-between Suburbia: Italy's Post-suburban Realities
Chapter 5: Suburban Dialogues: Contrasting Post-suburban Amsterdam and Milan
Epilogue: Reflecting on Europe's Post-suburban Tomorrow
Bibliography