New Directions in Urban Public Housing [Paperback]

David P. Varady (Editor), Wolfgang F. E. Preiser (Editor), Francis P. Russell (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0882851608 | ISBN-13: 978-0882851600 | Publication Date: October 31, 1998

Public housing is at a crossroads, buffeted by demographic, economic, and political winds. Privatiation, rehabilitation, demolition, rent certificates and vouchers, tenant management, tenant ownership, resident empowerment: these are just some of the current and proposed policy initiatives that could change the face of urban public housing.

In this book the nation’s foremost housing policy experts explore the problems and identify solutions that will define the future of this essential housing sector. The contributors review the origins of public housing policy, probe the current policy climate, and anticipate new directions. Chapters are illustrated with case studies from Boston, Chicago, Decatur, Indianapolis, San Francisco, and Seattle, as well as the United Kingdom.

The book contains sections addressing: historical perspectives, social issues, design issues, comprehensive approaches to public housing revitaliation, and future directions. The contributors include: Alexander von Hoffman, Peter Marcuse, William Petersen, Leonard F. Heumann, Karen A. Franck, David M. Schnee, Gayle Epp, Lawrence J. Vale, Richard Best, Mary K. Nenno, Irving Welfeld, and James G. Stockard, Jr. This book should be read by all city planners, housing officials, and government personnel.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent starting place to inform decision makers about the facts and fallacies of public housing in America."

—D. Lauber, APA Journal

About the Author

David P. Varady is professor in the School of Planning, at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning—University of Cincinnati.  His many books include Desegregating the City: Ghettos, Enclaves, and Inequality; Neighborhood Upgrading: A Realistic Assessment; and Selling Cities: Attracting Homebuyers through Schools and Housing Programs.

Wolfgang F. E. Preiser is professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Cincinnati. He has authored or edited numerous articles and books, including Facility Programming; Post-Occupancy Evaluation; Design Intervention: Toward a More Humane Architecture; and Professional Practice in Facility Programming.

Francis P. Russell is the commissioner of the Parks Department of Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, he is chair of the Urban Design Committee of the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and serves on the Cincinnati Riverfront Advisory Council, the Cincinnati Zoo Board, and the Regional Greenspace Initiative. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 305 pages
• Publisher: Center for Urban Policy Research (October 31, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882851608
• ISBN-13: 978-0882851600
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,833,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Careful and thoughtful study of public housing history, issues and strategies, March 7, 2009

By 

David Hoicka "David Hoicka" (El Paso, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: New Directions in Urban Public Housing (Paperback)

New Directions in Urban Public Housing
David P. Varady, Wolfgang F.E. Preiser, and Francis P. Russell, Editors.

This is a thoughtful and useful book containing 12 chapters in 287 pages written by top notch experts in the housing field, whose views are timely, carefully stated with great detail and historical perspective.

First, the book provides a careful and thorough review of public housing history, showing how we got where we are, and why. Second, the book reviews important social issues for public housing, including resident empowerment, and what happens when different groups are mixed together such as elderly and dysfunctional youth. Third, the book reviews public housing design issues in detail with examples. Fourth is a detailed discussion of public housing revitalization, and a thoughtful discussion of alternative strategies for public housing success. Fifth proposes numerous policy directions for moving forward.

This book is an essential part of the library of public housing and social housing practitioners, who are concerned with achieving the best possible results in affordable housing for lower income families in today's society.

The contents of New Directions in Urban Public Housing are the following:

A. Historical perspectives
1. Alexander von Hoffman, `High ambitions: the past and future of American low-income housing policy'
2. Peter Marcuse, `Mainstreaming public housing: a proposal for a comprehensive approach to housing policy'

B. Social issues
3. William Peterman, `The meanings of resident empowerment: why just about everybody thinks it's a good idea, and what it has to do with resident management'
4. Leonard F. Heumann, `Assisted living in public housing: a case study of mixing frail elderly and younger persons with chronic mental illness and substance abuse histories'

C. Design issues
5. Karen A. Franck, `Changing values in US public housing policy and design'
6. David M. Schnee, `An evaluation of Robert Pitts Plaza: a post-occupancy evaluation of new public housing in San Francisco'

D. Comprehensive approaches to public housing revitalization
7. Gayle Epp, `Emerging strategies for revitalizing public housing communities'
8. Lawrence J. Vale, `Public housing redevelopment: seven kinds of success'

E. Future directions
9. Richard Best, `Successes, failures, and prospects for public housing policy in the United Kingdom'
10. Mary K. Nenno, `New directions for federally assisted housing: an agenda for the Department of Housing and Urban Development'
11. Irving Welfeld, `Gatreaux: baby steps to opportunity'

F. Epilogue
12. James G. Stockard, Jr., `Public housing - the next sixty years?'

By David Hoicka