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Australian and American suburbs have been noted to share similarities, with some Australian suburbs even being described as American-looking. However, there are also notable differences between the two. For instance, Australian suburbs are generally considered to be more pedestrian and public transport-friendly, with sidewalks and public transportation options available. In terms of architectural differences, American suburbs tend to feature more two-storey homes and are typically built with cheaper materials such as fibreglass, vinyl siding, and asphalt roof shingles. Additionally, the term suburb itself carries different connotations in the two countries, with Australian suburbs referring to subdivisions of a city, while American suburbs refer to legally independent towns or cities on the outskirts of a larger city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a suburb | Australia: Subdivision of a city, larger than a neighbourhood but smaller than the entire city. |
| America: An entirely separate, legally independent town or city on the outskirts of a larger city. | |
| Population | Australia: More diverse than the US. |
| US: Gaining people from racial minority groups, especially the Hispanic and Asian population. | |
| Public transport | Australia: More walker/public transport-friendly than the US. |
| US: Almost-mandatory automobile ownership due to poor bus systems and non-existent rail systems. | |
| House styles | Australia: More brick and tile, fewer two-storey homes. |
| US: More two-storey homes, cheaper building materials, bigger floor spaces. | |
| Layout | Australia: Blocks are not in a grid pattern, with different lengths and widths. |
| US: More clean-cut square blocks, in a grid pattern. | |
| Shopping | Australia: N/A |
| US: Shopping centres are a component of the design. |
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What You'll Learn
Transport and walkability
Australian suburbs are more walker-friendly and public transport-friendly than American suburbs. Most Australian households have multiple cars, but footpaths/sidewalks are commonplace, and suburbs of major cities will have some level of public transport. Many people who work in the city centre and live in the suburbs commute by train or bus as city centre parking is expensive.
Australian suburbs are also more diverse than American ones. Australia does not have the same phenomenon of a ''poor inner city with a large minority population'. Poorer and more diverse areas tend to be out in the suburbs.
The structure of suburban roads is similar in both countries, with houses of similar sizes spaced a similar distance apart, and front lawns, mailboxes, etc. However, Australian suburbs are denser and more walkable than American suburbs, which tend to be car-centric. Australian suburbs also have more fences than American ones.
The layout of Australian suburbs is different from American ones. In Australia, a ''suburb' is a gazetted subdivision of a city, larger than a neighbourhood but smaller than the entire city. Every address in a city is part of a suburb. In America, a ''suburb' is an entirely separate, legally independent town or city on the outskirts of a larger city.
Australian suburbs also differ from American ones in terms of building materials and styles. American suburbs have more two-storey homes than Australia, and they tend to use cheaper materials like fibreglass or vinyl siding/cladding and asphalt roof shingles. Australian suburbs are known for their brick and tile construction.
In summary, while there are some similarities between Australian and American suburbs in terms of housing size and spacing, Australian suburbs are generally more walkable and diverse, with better public transportation and different building materials and styles.
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Architectural styles
Australian and American suburbs have some similarities in their architectural styles, but also display distinct differences. Both countries have similar land development histories, resulting in comparable suburban layouts with houses of similar sizes and spacing. However, the architectural styles within these suburbs differ.
Building Materials
One of the most notable differences is the choice of building materials. Australian homes predominantly feature brick construction, with brick being the standard in most parts of the country. In contrast, American homes tend to use cheaper materials, such as fibreglass, vinyl siding or cladding, and asphalt roof shingles. While terracotta or concrete tile roofs are common in Australia, American roofs often utilise asphalt shingles due to their low cost and ease of installation. Steel roofs are also found in Australia, although they are less common in the US and have a distinct appearance.
House Design
Australian homes tend to have open patios that are integrated into the living area, with low-pitched or skillion roofs. Verandas are also prevalent in Australian architecture, providing shade from the sun. The country's climatic conditions influence modern Australian residential designs, incorporating features such as double or triple glazing on windows, shade considerations, and improved insulation.
In contrast, American suburbs showcase a greater variety of architectural styles, ranging from the Levittown model to the McMansion boom. American houses generally have two storeys, whereas Australian homes are more likely to be single-storey due to the installation of rainwater tanks, which are more effective with larger roof surface areas.
Neighbourhood Character
Australian suburbs often exhibit a mix of upper-middle-class and middle-class housing within the same neighbourhood, blurring the social distinctions found in some American suburbs. The inner suburbs of Australian cities, considered undesirable in the US, are typically desirable due to their proximity to the city centre and well-developed street tree coverage, earning the nickname "leafy suburbs."
While Australian suburbs may evoke a sense of familiarity with their American counterparts, the unique blend of architectural styles, building materials, and neighbourhood characteristics sets them apart, reflecting the cultural and climatic influences of each nation.
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Building materials
Australian and American suburbs have some similarities in terms of building materials, but there are also notable differences.
In terms of similarities, both countries have a history of using timber in construction, although this is more common in older Australian homes. Newer Australian houses are predominantly brick veneer, with a brick exterior and timber frame interior. In contrast, American suburban homes often feature fibro/weatherboard construction, which is considered outdated in Australia, except in Queensland, where it helps keep houses cool.
One of the most noticeable differences in building materials between the two countries is roofing. Australian houses typically have roofs made of terracotta or concrete tiles, or steel, while asphalt/bitumen shingles are more common in the US as they are easy to install and waterproof, and cheap due to being a byproduct of crude oil refining. Australian roofs also tend to have a lower pitch than American roofs because there is no need to accommodate snowfall.
Another difference is that Australian suburbs tend to feature fencing, with most blocks being fenced at the back and sides. Additionally, Australian houses rarely have basements due to the cost and water ingress issues, and because there is no need for a protected machinery/services room as central heating or boilers are uncommon.
In terms of aesthetics, Australian suburbs may resemble American ones in their neat, tidy, and picturesque appearance, often described as "cookie-cutter". However, Australian suburbs have been noted to have more in common with Asian suburbia in terms of layout, with a focus on single-story homes due to drought considerations and the efficiency of solar panels and rainwater tanks on larger surface areas.
Overall, while there are some shared features, the building materials and styles between Australian and American suburbs differ, with Australian materials generally considered more substantial.
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Land development histories
Australian and American suburbs have some similarities due to similar land development histories. However, there are also significant differences. In Australia, a 'suburb' is a gazetted subdivision of a city, larger than a neighbourhood but smaller than the entire city. Every address in a city, including the downtown core, is part of a suburb. In America, a 'suburb' refers to an entirely separate, legally independent town or city on the outskirts of a larger city.
Australian suburbs tend to be more pedestrian and public transport-friendly than their American counterparts. While most households have multiple cars, footpaths/sidewalks are commonplace, and there is some level of public transport in major cities. In contrast, American suburbs often lack sidewalks and public transportation options, contributing to a more car-dependent lifestyle.
The layout and design of Australian and American suburbs also differ. Australian suburbs may have blocks of various lengths and widths, deviating from a strict grid pattern. They feature a mix of house designs, predominantly constructed from brick and tile. On the other hand, American suburbs often showcase a more uniform layout with clean-cut square blocks and consistent housing styles. American suburbs typically feature larger houses with more floor space and two storeys, and they may use cheaper building materials such as fibreglass, vinyl siding, and asphalt roof shingles.
The diversity of the populations in Australian and American suburbs also varies. Australian suburbs tend to be more diverse, with poorer and more ethnically diverse areas located in the suburbs rather than the inner city. In contrast, American suburbs often have a more homogeneous demographic makeup, although this can vary across different metro areas and regions.
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The definition of a 'suburb'
The term "suburb" is used differently in Australia and the US. In Australia, a suburb is a gazetted subdivision of a city, larger than a neighbourhood but smaller than the entire city. Every address in the city, including downtown, is considered to be in one suburb or another. In the US, a suburb is a legally independent town or city on the outskirts of a larger city.
In terms of appearance, Australian suburbs tend to be more pedestrian and public transport-friendly than American ones. Footpaths/sidewalks are commonplace, and there is some level of public transport. Most households still have multiple cars, but if people work in the city centre and live in the suburbs, they usually commute by train or bus as city centre parking is expensive. Australian suburbs also seem more diverse than American ones. Australia doesn't have the same phenomenon of a "poor inner city with a large minority population"; instead, its poorer and more diverse areas tend to be in the suburbs.
There are also differences in the design and construction of houses in Australian and American suburbs. In Australia, a block is filled with houses in dozens of different designs, and they are mostly made of brick and tile. In the US, houses tend to be bigger in terms of floor space and are often two-storey, and there is more space between houses. The US also tends to use cheaper building materials, such as fibreglass or vinyl siding/cladding and asphalt roof shingles.
Some Australian suburbs that have been noted as looking particularly American include Breakfast Point and Cabarita in Sydney, and Endeavour Hills in Melbourne.
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Frequently asked questions
In Australia, a suburb is a subdivision of a city, whereas in America, a suburb is an entirely separate, independent town or city on the outskirts of a larger city.
Australian suburbs tend to be more pedestrian and public transport-friendly, with sidewalks and footpaths being commonplace. Australian suburbs are also denser, with houses of varying designs and materials, including brick and tile. American suburbs, on the other hand, tend to have larger houses with more floor space and multiple storeys, and are often built with cheaper materials such as fibreglass or vinyl siding.
Some Australian suburbs that have been noted to resemble American ones include Breakfast Point and Cabarita in Sydney, as well as Endeavour Hills in Melbourne.
Australian suburbs tend to be more diverse than American ones. Australia does not have the same phenomenon of a "poor inner city with a large minority population". Instead, its poorer and more diverse areas are often located in the suburbs.
Australia and the United States have similar land development histories, which could explain why their suburbs may appear similar in some ways. Additionally, the concept of suburbia and the development of suburban areas have influenced and been influenced by media and popular culture in both countries.
