What is a significant characteristic that separates suburban structures from urban ones?

The significant characteristic that separates suburban structures from urban ones is the age of construction. Suburban areas often have a different developmental history compared to urban environments. Suburbs typically consist of residential neighborhoods that were established in the mid-20th century and beyond, often featuring single-family homes with yards and a more spacious layout. These structures may also reflect trends in architecture and building practices that are distinct from those found in dense urban settings, which may have older buildings due to continuous development over a longer period.

In contrast, urban areas often showcase a wide range of architectural styles and buildings that may span centuries, including high-rise apartments and older commercial buildings. This historical difference in development and construction leads to variations in age, which is a key distinguishing feature between suburban and urban structures. Other factors, such as roofing materials, colors of buildings, and proximity to public services, while they may vary between these two settings, do not consistently define the structural characteristics as effectively as the age of construction.