Levittown - Revision history

Editor at 17:41, 12 November 2021

2021-11-12T17:41:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:41, 12 November 2021
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	--[[User:Heidi_Schwartz\|Heidi Schwartz]]		--[[User:Heidi_Schwartz\|Heidi Schwartz]]

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Affordable housing.		* Affordable housing.
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	* Pocket door.		* Pocket door.
	* Suburb.		* Suburb.
		+	* Thomas Edison's concrete cottages.
	* Urban design.		* Urban design.

	[[Category:DCN_Other]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Conservation]]		[[Category:DCN_Other]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Conservation]]

Editor at 16:43, 17 August 2021

2021-08-17T16:43:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 17 August 2021
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	* Affordable housing.		* Affordable housing.
	* American architecture and construction.		* American architecture and construction.
		+	* Lawn.
	* Micro dwelling.		* Micro dwelling.
	* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.		* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.
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	* Urban design.		* Urban design.

−	[[Category:~~Conservation~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Other~~]] [[Category:~~History~~]] [[Category:~~International~~]] [[Category:~~Planning_permission~~]] [[Category:~~Construction_techniques~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Other]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Conservation]]

Editor at 16:42, 6 April 2021

2021-04-06T16:42:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:42, 6 April 2021
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	* Affordable housing.		* Affordable housing.
	* American architecture and construction.		* American architecture and construction.
		+	* Micro dwelling.
	* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.		* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.
	* New Towns Act.		* New Towns Act.

Designing Buildings at 08:13, 7 February 2021

2021-02-07T08:13:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:13, 7 February 2021
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	* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.		* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.
	* New Towns Act.		* New Towns Act.
		+	* New Towns: the rise, fall and rebirth.
	* Paul Revere Williams.		* Paul Revere Williams.
	* Pocket door.		* Pocket door.

Editor at 17:51, 21 October 2020

2020-10-21T17:51:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:51, 21 October 2020
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	* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.		* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.
	* New Towns Act.		* New Towns Act.
		+	* Paul Revere Williams.
	* Pocket door.		* Pocket door.
	* Suburb.		* Suburb.

Editor at 13:54, 18 September 2020

2020-09-18T13:54:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 18 September 2020
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−	{\|
−	~~\| [[File:Levittown.jpg\|link=File:Levittown.jpg]]~~
−	\|-
−	~~\| An aerial file photo of Levittown, New York, a mass produced suburban community for baby boomers looking for affordable housing.~~
−	\|}
−
	"Little boxes on the hillside<br />		"Little boxes on the hillside<br />
	Little boxes made of ticky tacky<br />		Little boxes made of ticky tacky<br />
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	* Urban design.		* Urban design.

−	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]	+	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:DCN_Other]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]

Editor at 20:02, 10 August 2020

2020-08-10T20:02:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:02, 10 August 2020
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	* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.		* Municipal Dreams: the rise and fall of council housing.
	* New Towns Act.		* New Towns Act.
		+	* Pocket door.
	* Suburb.		* Suburb.
	* Urban design.		* Urban design.

	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]		[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:International]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]]

Designing Buildings at 06:18, 13 July 2020

2020-07-13T06:18:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:18, 13 July 2020
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	= Affordable, with a hidden price =		= Affordable, with a hidden price =

−	The homes were extremely popular when the scheme began. With an affordable price, all of the modern conveniences (including in ~~built~~ televisions and stereo systems) and even a white picket fence ~~out~~ in front of the green lawn, ~~the homes~~ were ideal for young families eager to purchase their first home.	+	The homes were extremely popular when the scheme began. With an affordable price, all the modern conveniences (including built-in televisions and stereo systems) and even a white picket fence in front of the green lawn, they were ideal for young families eager to purchase their first home.

−	For many buyers, Levittown homes represented the American dream. However, aside from their inherent sense of uniformity (each house was originally built in the same basic style, with offerings for different colours or other minor cosmetic features), there was also another hidden factor~~: in~~ addition to strict rules and regulations about the physical characteristics of the properties, there was a condition stating that only white, Christian homebuyers would be eligible to purchase the properties. Levitt's rationale was that buyers would feel more comfortable joining communities where everyone shared the same beliefs and backgrounds.	+	For many buyers, Levittown homes represented the American dream. However, aside from their inherent sense of uniformity (each house was originally built in the same basic style, with offerings for different colours or other minor cosmetic features), there was also another hidden factor. In addition to strict rules and regulations about the physical characteristics of the properties, there was a condition stating that only white, Christian homebuyers would be eligible to purchase the properties. Levitt's rationale was that buyers would feel more comfortable joining communities where everyone shared the same beliefs and backgrounds.

−	Government sanctioned segregation was not considered unethical or unsuitable when Levittown communities were initially ~~being~~ built. This institutionalised racial bias was included in a clause (or "restrictive covenant") in the official paperwork associated with each sale. While this clause was officially removed in 1948, most Levittowns were still somewhat segregated even as recently as the 1990 U.S. census.	+	Government sanctioned segregation was not considered unethical or unsuitable when Levittown communities were initially built. This institutionalised racial bias was included in a clause (or "restrictive covenant") in the official paperwork associated with each sale. While this clause was officially removed in 1948, most Levittowns were still somewhat segregated even as recently as the 1990 U.S. census.

	--[[User:Heidi_Schwartz\|Heidi Schwartz]]		--[[User:Heidi_Schwartz\|Heidi Schwartz]]

Designing Buildings at 06:16, 13 July 2020

2020-07-13T06:16:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:16, 13 July 2020
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	\| [[File:Levittown.jpg\|link=File:Levittown.jpg]]		\| [[File:Levittown.jpg\|link=File:Levittown.jpg]]
	\|-		\|-
−	\| An aerial file photo of Levittown, New York, a mass produced suburban community for baby boomers looking for an affordable housing ~~option~~.	+	\| An aerial file photo of Levittown, New York, a mass produced suburban community for baby boomers looking for affordable housing.
	\|}		\|}

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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	Levittown is a term associated with an urban planning initiative ~~that was used~~ in the United States after the Second World War. While the name was ~~originally~~ associated with the original Levittown, located in New York, it was later used on seven subsequent tract housing projects that followed the same urban planning scheme. More than 17,000 detached, single family homes were built in suburban Levittowns in the United States.	+	Levittown is a term associated with an urban planning initiative in the United States after the Second World War. While the name was first associated with the original Levittown, located in New York, it was later used on seven subsequent tract housing projects that followed the same urban planning scheme. More than 17,000 detached, single family homes were built in suburban Levittowns in the United States.

	= History =		= History =

−	The original Levittown was an idea conceived in the late 1940s by William J Levitt~~. It was created by~~ his firm, Levitt & Sons.	+	The original Levittown was an idea conceived in the late 1940s by William J Levitt and his firm, Levitt & Sons.

−	Before the Second World War, William Levitt's real estate development company had established a reputation for building moderately expensive homes for upper middle class clients, but as the father of a returning United States Navy veteran, Levitt recognised how difficult it would be for his son to buy his first home. Consequently, he came up with the idea ~~to provide~~ affordable housing to returning veterans and their families.	+	Before the Second World War, William Levitt's real estate development company had established a reputation for building moderately expensive homes for upper middle class clients, but as the father of a returning United States Navy veteran, Levitt recognised how difficult it would be for his son to buy his first home. Consequently, he came up with the idea of providing affordable housing for returning veterans and their families.

	Incentives through government agencies helped provide financial backing to qualified veterans. This eased the risk for builders who might otherwise be reluctant to work with first time buyers.		Incentives through government agencies helped provide financial backing to qualified veterans. This eased the risk for builders who might otherwise be reluctant to work with first time buyers.

−	~~The seven~~ Levittown communities were built ~~in the following locations~~:	+	Seven Levittown communities were built:

	* New York (1947–1951)		* New York (1947–1951)
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	= Assembly line homes =		= Assembly line homes =

−	Levitt took assembly line production for automobiles and applied ~~them~~ to ~~construction techniques used for~~ mass produced military housing. Materials were standardised, so the supply chain came directly from the manufacturer.	+	Levitt took assembly line production for automobiles and applied the approach to constructing mass produced military housing. Materials were standardised, so the supply chain came directly from the manufacturer.

	Instead of employing unionised journeymen, Levitt hired non-unionised workers. These workers could be cross trained to handle several different parts along the assembly line, as needed.		Instead of employing unionised journeymen, Levitt hired non-unionised workers. These workers could be cross trained to handle several different parts along the assembly line, as needed.

−	On average, it took one day to build a house. At one point ~~in time~~ during the highest period of demand, it was said that a Levittown house was completed every 16 minutes.	+	On average, it took one day to build a house. At one point, during the highest period of demand, it was said that a Levittown house was completed every 16 minutes.

	= Affordable, with a hidden price =		= Affordable, with a hidden price =

Editor at 19:51, 10 July 2020

2020-07-10T19:51:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:51, 10 July 2020
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	\| [[File:Levittown.jpg\|link=File:Levittown.jpg]]		\| [[File:Levittown.jpg\|link=File:Levittown.jpg]]
	\|-		\|-
−	\| ~~This~~ aerial file photo ~~shows a portion~~ of Levittown, New York, ~~in 1948 shortly after the~~ mass-produced ~~suburb was completed on Long Island farmland in New York. This prototypical~~ suburban community ~~was the first of many mass-produced~~ housing ~~developments that went up for soldiers coming home from World War II. It also became a symbol of postwar suburbia in the U.S~~.	+	\| An aerial file photo of Levittown, New York, a mass produced suburban community for baby boomers looking for an affordable housing option.
	\|}		\|}