Introduction to Suburbia

• Definition of Suburbia

  • Concept of zoning, where houses are grouped in separate areas, often seen in suburban layouts.

  • Trend of houses having backyards and garages.

• Common stereotype of suburbia

  • Rows of similarly sized houses, reinforcing concepts of safety and separation from urban areas.

  • Media representation of suburban life often perpetuates this stereotype.

Contrast with Earlier Forms of Public Space

• Historical context of town designs and public spaces in the U.S. from the 17th century to the 1920s.

  • Regional traditions demonstrated in New England town greens, which served as public spaces for residents.

  • Functioned as parks and community gathering spots for town assemblies and recreational activities.

  • Example: Town of Guilford, Connecticut, with a music festival on its town green.

  • Spanish colonial plazas served similar purposes in the southwestern U.S., structured according to the Laws of the Indies.

  • Included churches and important government buildings, fostering community interaction.

  • Example: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, illustrating organized town layouts centered around plazas.

  • Courthouse squares established in the Midwest in the 19th century as focal points in towns.

Evolution of Public Space Design

• Shift from public to private control in town design after the 1940s.

• Federal subsidies led to the development of private real estate, diverting public funding to private spaces post-1945.

• Historical backing of suburban development

  • 1920s to 1950s legislation shaping suburbia, emphasizing the concept of the postwar suburban stereotype.

  • The Great Depression's role in accelerating socio-economic problems affecting housing markets.

  • By 1933, 25% unemployment in the U.S.; financial collapse led to 50-75% drop in income.

Impacts of the Great Depression

• Drought and erosion led to the Dust Bowl, displacing many families from Midwest farms.

  • Significant imagery: long lines for food and desperation among migrating families captured in photographs.

• During the Great Depression:

  • 50% of U.S. mortgages defaulting by 1933; rampant home foreclosures increased public unrest.

  • Foreclosure crisis peaked in early 1930s, leading to significant institutional responses.

• Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal efforts aimed to stabilize the economy and housing market.

  • Homeowners Loan Corporation (HOLC) established to assist with mortgage refinancing and foreclosure prevention.

  • Between 1933-35: $3 billion allocated to help over 1 million homeowners reclaim foreclosed homes.

  • Introduction of the long-term self-amortizing mortgage to promote predictability in payment plans.

Redlining and Discrimination in Housing

• Establishment of systematic appraisal methods for assessing properties led to redlining.

  • Redlining defined as a discriminatory practice assigning ratings to neighborhoods based on ethnicity and socio-economic status.

  • Historical maps illustrating security ratings assigned to different neighborhoods, influencing lending practices.

  • Green areas designated for white residents, while red areas marked neighborhoods with individuals of color, leading to systemic inequities in housing access.

• The Fair Housing Act eventually deemed redlining illegal, but its legacy lingered.

Federal Policies and Suburban Expansion

• The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) created through the National Housing Act of 1934, solidified mortgage lending in America.

  • Reforms led to reduced down payments, increased loan percentages, and extended repayment periods.

  • Established safety standards for home construction, enhancing property stability and financial security for homeowners.

Post-War Suburban Development

Levittown

• Major example of post-WWII suburban development led by Levitt & Sons.

  • Creation of 17,400 homes on a transformed potato farm, reflecting mass housing production methods.

  • Homes priced at $7,990; characterized by prefabricated elements and assembly-line construction.

  • Critiques of the suburb included lack of essential community infrastructure, such as schools and garbage collection.

Other Post-War Suburbs

• Lakewood, California

  • Developed with a grid layout, housing 80,000 people; included consumer amenities such as a shopping mall.

  • Provided public spaces but primarily served commercial interests.

• Park Forest, Illinois

  • Designed as a planned community, offering both rentals and homeownership, promoting a more integrated neighborhood environment.

Conclusion on Suburban Development

• Discussion of how suburbia shaped social norms regarding home ownership and community structure, reflecting broader socio-political influences.

• Continued evolution of suburban models reflects changing demographic and social needs, but retains legacies of the past.