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Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Houston never had many public housing projects. The type of thing you are referring to is different than what Johnatl was referring to. Atlanta did to same to similar neighborhoods in the city back in the 40s, 50s, and 60s and replaced them with massive public housing projects (one such example can be found here). Starting in the 90s, the City of Atlanta started tearing down the public housing projects and replaced them with mixed use developments. In June, Atlanta was the first city in America to demolish all of it's public housing units.
Texas overall wasn't really big on housing projects; we had them, but not on the scale that you saw on the East coast. We just have apartment complexes that start off nice and decent, but quickly turn to ****.
I don't believe many cities well west (and I say this for a reason) of the Mississippi had large scale housing projects. Even LA or San Francisco. They are nothing more than low rise apartment complexes starting from Texas west to California. The only city that had them was St. Louis and that's why I said well west.
Again, not a new concept in Houston. Its happening in cities all over the country.
Guess you have not seen Houston's historic 3rd Ward in the past 6 years have you? It bears little resemblance to what it looked like back in the 60's, 70's, 80's, & 90's.
They were pretty much a failure every where. Cabrini Green, Pruitt-Igoe, Little Vietnam, er, East Lake Meadows anyone?
The whole housing project concept was started and Europe and they did a much better job then we did. They first started to appear in Germany during the 1930's. The way the Germans did it was fantastic. It was a much better example of urban design that was fairly successful in making a strong sense of community and the citizens and the governments of the European countries were much more committed to actually making the housing projects work. Although, they originally might have been built with the best intentions, your right that the ones US were a complete disasters. They were basically built as cheaply and densely as possible, and used as a way to separate poor people (mainly poor black people ) from the rest of a city. Obviously, during the 60's, 70's, and 80's, cities like St Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, and even Houston had no interest in trying maintain these housing projects fool of poor blacks and turn them into "thriving communities." As a result, they basically just went to s**t.
Anyways, there's your history of urban design lesson for the day kids.
It might not be a new concept, but we are still considered the National model for this, regardless.
You probably aren't aware of this, but the very first public housing project in the U.S. was built here, Techwood Homes.
We've been at this longer than anyone, including Houston.
I don't know about Atlanta, but in Houston currently, its more of a massive gentrification and urban renewal project of certain neighborhoods than public housing projects.
Location: The Greatest city on Earth: City of Atlanta Proper
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Originally Posted by wpmeads
The whole housing project concept was started and Europe and they did a much better job then we did. They first started to appear in Germany during the 1930's. They way the Germans did it was fantastic. It was a much better example of urban design that was fairly successful in making a strong sense of community and the citizens and the governments of the European governments where much more committed to actually making the housing projects work. Although, they originally might have been built with the best intentions, your right that the ones US where a complete disasters. They where basically built as cheaply and densely as possible, and used as a way to separate poor people (mainly poor black people ) from the rest of a city. Obviously, during the 60's, 70's, and 80's, cities like St Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, and even Houston had no interest in trying maintain these housing projects fool of poor blacks and turn them into "thriving communities." As a result, they basically just went to s**t.
Anyways, there's your history of urban design lesson for the day kids.
While we are walking way off topic, I agree with all your points. Public housing in itself is not necessarily prone to failure. It has been a great success in Western Europe (as you stated), Canada, and parts of Asia. In the States and Eastern Europe though, you are spot on when you say the government eventually strayed from the original noble goals and sought to dump as many poor people into as little land as possible out sight from the rest of the city AND not offer any viable way to improve their economic or educational standing. Then wonder why most resident turned to selling drugs and other crimes to "move up" in the world. SMH. Good thing that era is coming to an end now. Ok, back on topic.
Location: The Greatest city on Earth: City of Atlanta Proper
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I don't know about Atlanta, but in Houston currently, its more of a massive gentrification and urban renewal project of certain neighborhoods than public housing projects.
It's both.
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) from the rest of a city. Obviously, during the 60's, 70's, and 80's, cities like St Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, and even Houston had no interest in trying maintain these housing projects fool of poor blacks and turn them into "thriving communities." As a result, they basically just went to s**t.
