From courts to open space to streets: changes in the site design of US public housing

Public housing in the US has undergone significant changes in site design and building type over the course of its 60 yr history. These changes fall into three distinct stages: semi-enclosed courts formed by walk-up buildings; expanses of open space in sites composed of row-house, walk-up, or elevator buildings; and most recently private outdoor spaces and semi-enclosed or fully enclosed courts for row-house and other low-rise buildings. The relationship of buildings to streets also changed during these periods. This paper describes these design changes, using public housing in Newark, NJ as a case in point. The authors explore the accompanying shifts in ideas and values expressed in the professional literature that constituted one basis for adopting the new designs. -from Authors