Planning and design of public housing An evolution of structure

Abstract

A study of the evolution of the Bluegrass-Aspendale Public Housing Project (Lexington, KY) as an example of the physical manifestation of changing demographic, socioeconomic, and governmental pressures. BIuegrass-Aspendale, constructed in 1937, was one of the first 49 public housing projects built in the United States. This study reviews the impact of governmental housing policies, recent public housing budget reductions, progressive economic stagnation, racial segregation and desegregation, and escalating crime issues on the site development characteristics of Bluegrass-Aspendale and the resultant quality of life for its residents. A recent major redevelopment of Bluegrass-Aspendale presents a new approach to the revitalization of existing public housing that involves project dedensification via unit demolition and the creation of smaller project clusters. Cluster identity and safety are reinforced through the realignment of roadways into cul-de-sacs and unit facade renovation. The necessity of developing a comprehensive system of supportive social services for residents, particularly police protection, is also emphasized. While the design of new public housing concentrates on small scale scattered sites and homeownership, Bluegrass-Aspendale serves as an example of how an older inner city project can be retrofitted to conform with new housing design standards that attempt to remedy contemporary problems.