The U.S. is busy pulling down its public housing. Meanwhile in Singapore, where suites are displayed in museums, people are calling for preserving whole buildings.
In North America, the idea of preserving public housing as a model of national achievement is absurd. It began and existed for a few heartbeats as a form of superior affordable housing for the working class. But its objectives rapidly racialized. That might have worked strongly in favour of Black Americans, if only the lofty original intentions had been pursued. They weren’t.
Public housing became somewhat newer, still-segregated versions of the low- and no-income slum neighbourhoods they were meant to replace. America missed the boat with public housing. It was created with hope, tolerated for what it became, and finally wholeheartedly despised as a national blight — everywhere except in the communities that had grown and thrived within that housing.
Compare this experience to what was created in a far shorter time by a nation that had committed its heart as well as its mind to a project to be equally enjoyed by all citizens. Read more in THE STRAITS TIMES: Public housing should be protected as heritage for future generations: DP Architects CEO
Of course it’s not too late for the United States to change course, begin again, and strive to create public housing worthy of nomination as a national treasure. Some countries with the same kinds of neglected low- and no- income housing are prepared to take a look at the Singapore public housing model. Try: Love Singapore Housing But Can’t Get There From Here. . . Or Maybe We Can