Rural Housing, Exurbanization, and Amenity-Driven Development: Contrasting the 'Haves' and the 'Have Nots'

Rural America is progressing through a dramatic and sustained post-industrial economic transition. For many, traditional means of household sustenance gained through agriculture, mining and rustic tourism are giving way to large scale corporate agriculture, footloose and globally competitive manufacturing firms, and mass tourism on an unprecedented scale. These changes have brought about a larger presence of amenity migrants and returees, as well as an increase in low-wage, seasonal work. This book argues that the character of rural housing reflects this transition and examines this using contemporary concepts of ex-ubanization, rural amenity-based development, and increased conurbation.Despite rapid in-migration and dramatic changes in land use, there remains a strong tendency for communities in rural America to maintain the idyllic small-town myth of large-lot, single-family home-ownership. This neglects to take into account the growing need for affordable housing (both owne-occupied and rental properties) for local residents and seasonal workers. The book suggests that radical changes need to be put in place in terms of housing policy in these regions to take account for the radical changes in its societal make-up.