Despite the many differences in customs and human behavior cross culturally, people ultimately share the need for a roof over their heads.
From the Masaai tribes in Eastern Africa with their clay, straw huts, to the urbanites of the developed world with sky scrapers and apartment complexes; we can see commonality. People thrive in community, though benefits can vary from group to group, collaboration and communication between people opens the gates for people to trade, survive, play, and create together.
In the past, dominant, hegemonic groups have had survivalist attitude when it comes to thriving communities. This attitudes typically means eradicating the competition, and doing all you can to support your own community. This can look like battling for resources, or sabotaging an undesirable counterpart.
In today's world, we are witnessing a greater mix of people, our interconnectedness is unprecedented. Our survival is no longer dependent on only one group, our survival is contingent on how we can coexist, and our abilities to trade, to collaborate, and to unite in trying times.
For many, the challenge to secure financial stability is insurmountable. For whatever reason, be it disability, addiction, seeking refuge in a new country, or drowning debt, millions of people suffer from hovering just around or below the "poverty line." These circumstances mean regularly questioning the availability of a roof over your head, or food in your stomach, amongst other things.
Are these people deserving of their situations? Perhaps, but many are not.
Do children deserve to have a roof over their head? Always.
Should my neighbor have food on their plate? Yes.
As a member of a participatory society, it is vital that we ask ourselves how we can enhance our communities, as well as the lives of the individuals that make them, and the environment that surrounds us.
Recent studies have shown that affordable housing projects have led to significant boosts in local economies, as well as large reduction in crimes rates...
Funny, huh? Perhaps if we give people the physical foundation they need, their lives can truly take off, as well as a society at large.
Now,
Lets take a closer look at three different affordable housing developments and their successes:
What used to an abysmal, retired mining site has turned into an ecologically sound affordable housing development in Aspen, Colorado. With 14 housing units per acre, this project has created housing in a way that conserves energy, water, land, and material. This development is situated by public transit opportunities, and has integrated a path that connects to Aspen's trail network. Not only does this beautifully constructed undertaking fit the natural landscape, it is designed to both benefit from it while mitigating its impact on it. Through the use of native plants to conserve irrigated water, storm drain systems to reduce pollutants in run off, and buildings constructed to absorb the Sun's heat, while utilizing the radiation in photovoltaics on the roofs, this development has both people and the environment in mind.
This high density affordable housing project in San Francisco speaks to the need of the community, and has alleviated crime in the area, while providing refugees and people of need with the opportunity to thrive. This housing development offers children a safe place to recreate, an inclusive community for the elderly, as well as enhanced opportunity for people with different backgrounds to successfully, and productively integrate in their city. Excellent management and the collaboration of many inspired designers and contractors made it possible for nearly 2,100 people to have greater lives of peace and subsistence.
After economic pitfalls, the Bridgeton, New Jersey had too many abandoned, rotting Victorian homes. As a district that values historic preservation, these structures didn't seem to be preserving much of anything, and seemed to be prompting criminal activity due its abandonment. This housing development aimed to mend this decrepit area of the town, and created new, affordable homes that mimicked some of the structural efficiencies of the older Victorian styled homes. This mimicry utilized the tall, A frame structures and covered porches to naturally cool the structure, and minimize energy costs. Other cost effective and ecologically sound implementations created homes that harnessed construction efficiency and natural capital, while reducing environmental impact and simultaneously preserving the history of this area.
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