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You might be interested in the episode of 99 Percent Invisible [1] that talks about how an architect was tasked with designing a bunch of housing for very poor

by jonlucc 10y ago

You might be interested in the episode of 99 Percent Invisible [1] that talks about how an architect was tasked with designing a bunch of housing for very poor residents in Chile after a disaster. He chose to build half-houses that are literally unfinished roofs on one side. Over time, people were encouraged to build the other half as they saw fit. [1] Episode 231 - Half a House - http://99percentinvisible.org/episode/half-a-house/ http://99percentinvisible.org/episode/half-a-house/

RangerScience 10y ago
Oh so very cool. So very cool. This is going into the research pile; after Ghost Ship, this content seems excessively relevant.
WildUtah 10y ago
There's a famous National Geographic photo of a cookie-cutter suburb an hour east of Mexico City. [0] Identical brand new tiny homes in cheerful monotone colors extend into the distance. If you visit that neighborhood today, you can see the results of laws very different from those in American suburbs. Most of the houses have been expanded. Each one has grown in a different way. They've been repainted different colors, there are Virgin of Guadalupe icons and paintings and Aztec designs and decorations and every other kind of individualistic expression all over. Small shops have opened to provide typical neighborhood corner store services and light industry like auto repair and electronics servicing is going on during the day. Lots of the car parking has been enclosed and some has been eliminated entirely in favor of more living space. [1] All of those changes would be illegal in the vast majority of American suburbs. When older American cities were built, the laws were more like Mexican laws and neighborhoods could grow up with residents and families and provide local services and develop character. Plus, the Mexican neighborhood and older American neighborhoods are significantly denser than new American suburbs, without being remotely like really dense development. That makes things much more accessible by walking and creates more cooperation. That's the difference a reasonably open and humble set of laws makes. [0] http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/2013/5/housing-development-mexico/ http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-d... [1] Try a satellite or street view somewhere around 19º18'30'' N and 98º51'30'' W
- galdosdi 10y ago
  Yes, this!! If you want to visit "good suburbs" (single family homes and duplexes mostly, but with variety, character, mixed use, and you can get around by transit, walking, or car -- and a reasonable tradeoff of affordable housing but reasonable commute time) like this in the USA, the middle areas (not center, not outskirts) of northeastern cities developed before or around the time of the rise of the auto have some. Queens, Bronx, outer (ie, not the currently trendy part along the East river) Brooklyn for example. So often we frame it as a choice, quiet but car-enslaved suburban living versus hectic but convenient urban living. Wrong! You can have it all. You just need your government to not be stupid.
Camillo 10y ago
That's not a new idea. It used to be common in America too, although usually in that case it was two floors, one finished and one unfinished for future expansion.

by jonlucc 10y ago

RangerScience 10y ago

Oh so very cool. So very cool. This is going into the research pile; after Ghost Ship, this content seems excessively relevant.

WildUtah 10y ago

There's a famous National Geographic photo of a cookie-cutter suburb an hour east of Mexico City. [0] Identical brand new tiny homes in cheerful monotone colors extend into the distance. If you visit that neighborhood today, you can see the results of laws very different from those in American suburbs. Most of the houses have been expanded. Each one has grown in a different way. They've been repainted different colors, there are Virgin of Guadalupe icons and paintings and Aztec designs and decorations and every other kind of individualistic expression all over. Small shops have opened to provide typical neighborhood corner store services and light industry like auto repair and electronics servicing is going on during the day. Lots of the car parking has been enclosed and some has been eliminated entirely in favor of more living space. [1] All of those changes would be illegal in the vast majority of American suburbs. When older American cities were built, the laws were more like Mexican laws and neighborhoods could grow up with residents and families and provide local services and develop character. Plus, the Mexican neighborhood and older American neighborhoods are significantly denser than new American suburbs, without being remotely like really dense development. That makes things much more accessible by walking and creates more cooperation. That's the difference a reasonably open and humble set of laws makes. [0] http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/2013/5/housing-development-mexico/ http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-d... [1] Try a satellite or street view somewhere around 19º18'30'' N and 98º51'30'' W

galdosdi 10y ago
Yes, this!! If you want to visit "good suburbs" (single family homes and duplexes mostly, but with variety, character, mixed use, and you can get around by transit, walking, or car -- and a reasonable tradeoff of affordable housing but reasonable commute time) like this in the USA, the middle areas (not center, not outskirts) of northeastern cities developed before or around the time of the rise of the auto have some. Queens, Bronx, outer (ie, not the currently trendy part along the East river) Brooklyn for example. So often we frame it as a choice, quiet but car-enslaved suburban living versus hectic but convenient urban living. Wrong! You can have it all. You just need your government to not be stupid.

Camillo 10y ago

That's not a new idea. It used to be common in America too, although usually in that case it was two floors, one finished and one unfinished for future expansion.