TED Talks: Building Wonder Season 1 Episode 17 Ellen Dunham-Jones: Retrofitting Suburbia

In episode 17 of season 1 of TED Talks: Building Wonder, Ellen Dunham-Jones delivers a compelling talk on retrofitting suburbia. She discusses the challenges that suburbs face, including aging infrastructure, lack of diversity, and the rise of online shopping.

Dunham-Jones suggests that retrofitting the suburbs can be an effective way to revitalize these areas and make them more sustainable for future generations. She provides several examples of successful suburban retrofitting projects, such as the transformation of a dying mall into a thriving mixed-use development and the conversion of a big-box store into a community college.

Throughout the talk, Dunham-Jones emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation in retrofitting suburbs. She encourages architects, planners, and community members to work together to find creative solutions to the challenges that suburbs face. She also stresses the need to prioritize sustainability and equity in these projects.

Overall, Dunham-Jones' talk offers an inspiring vision for the future of suburbs. By retrofitting these areas, we can create more vibrant, sustainable, and diverse communities for generations to come.