NCJ Number
15892
Date Published
1961
Length
30 pages
Annotation
MORE SUCCESSFUL AND MEANINGFUL INNER CITY HOUSING PROJECTS CAN BE CONSTRUCTED IF THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION RATHER THAN SOCIAL ISOLATION.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR STRESSES THAT THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE MUST BE ACTIVELY PLANNED FOR. THESE NEEDS ARE ACTIVE EXERCISE, SUNSHINE AND FRESH AIR, AND THE NEEDS TO GET OUT, TO GO SOMEWHERE, AND TO DO SOME CHORES THAT CANNOT BE DONE INDOORS (WASHING THE CAR, FOR INSTANCE). SHE RECOMMENDS THAT PROJECTS BE DESIGNED FOR VISIBILITY (SUCH AS EXTERIOR CORRIDORS), LOITERING (IT IS INEVITABLE, SO WHY NOT MAKE IT NICE), FOR THE FORMATION OF SOCIAL GROUPS (BENCHES THAT FACE EACH OTHER) AND FOR BUILT IN SOCIAL CONTROLS AND SUPERVISION.