Tract housing is a type of housing development in which multiple similar houses are built on a tract (area) of land that is subdivided into smaller lots. Tract housing developments are found in suburb developments that were modeled on the "Levittown" concept and sometimes encompass large areas of dozens of square miles.[1][2]
Aerial view of housing developments near Markham, Ontario, Canada
Tract housing came about in the 1940s when the demand for cheap housing skyrocketed. Economies of scale meant that large numbers of identical houses could be built faster and more cheaply to fulfill the growing demand. Developers would purchase a dozen or more adjacent lots and conduct the building construction as an assembly-line process.[3]
Tract housing development makes use of few architectural designs, and labor costs are reduced because workers need to learn the skills and movements of constructing only those designs rather than repeat the learning curve. In addition, as all houses in the development will be built at the same time, the cost of purchasing and transporting building supplies may be reduced due to economies of scale. Components such as roof trusses, plumbing, and stair systems are often prefabricated in factories and installed on-site. This allows builders to offer lower prices, which in turn can make houses affordable to a larger percentage of the population. Early tract houses were often identical, but many tracts since the late 20th century have several designs and other variations in footprint, roof form, and materials, along with options such as garage bays, for a more diverse appearance.[3]
The concept of tract housing is occasionally mocked in North American popular culture as the basis of suburbia; notable examples are the songs "Little Boxes" by Malvina Reynolds, "Suburbia" by the Pet Shop Boys and "Subdivisions" by Rush. It is also often criticized by city planners and architects, as its construction tends to overlook required elements of successful community building, instead creating a homogeneous residential neighborhood with no walkability, local employment, commerce, services, or attractions within close commuting distance. This leads to a heavy reliance on automobile travel, as residents are unable to address any of these needs locally.[4]
^Kershner, Kate (2012-05-02). "Why do cookie-cutter neighborhoods exist?". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
^Cray, Dan (2002-03-13). "15 Milestones That Changed Housing". This Old House. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
^ abCuster, Jack (August 1988). Orange Coast Magazine: Customizing your tract home. Emmis Communications. p. 160.
^White, Shelley (15 April 2016). "Why commuting costs can make the 'burbs more expensive than living downtown". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
External linksedit
Media related to Tract housing at Wikimedia Commons
January 01, 1970
tract, housing, type, housing, development, which, multiple, similar, houses, built, tract, area, land, that, subdivided, into, smaller, lots, developments, found, suburb, developments, that, were, modeled, levittown, concept, sometimes, encompass, large, area. Tract housing is a type of housing development in which multiple similar houses are built on a tract area of land that is subdivided into smaller lots Tract housing developments are found in suburb developments that were modeled on the Levittown concept and sometimes encompass large areas of dozens of square miles 1 2 Aerial view of housing developments near Markham Ontario Canada Contents 1 Design 2 Suburbs 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksDesign edit nbsp A tract housing development in San Jose California Tract housing came about in the 1940s when the demand for cheap housing skyrocketed Economies of scale meant that large numbers of identical houses could be built faster and more cheaply to fulfill the growing demand Developers would purchase a dozen or more adjacent lots and conduct the building construction as an assembly line process 3 Tract housing development makes use of few architectural designs and labor costs are reduced because workers need to learn the skills and movements of constructing only those designs rather than repeat the learning curve In addition as all houses in the development will be built at the same time the cost of purchasing and transporting building supplies may be reduced due to economies of scale Components such as roof trusses plumbing and stair systems are often prefabricated in factories and installed on site This allows builders to offer lower prices which in turn can make houses affordable to a larger percentage of the population Early tract houses were often identical but many tracts since the late 20th century have several designs and other variations in footprint roof form and materials along with options such as garage bays for a more diverse appearance 3 Suburbs edit nbsp Tract housing in Cincinnati Ohio The concept of tract housing is occasionally mocked in North American popular culture as the basis of suburbia notable examples are the songs Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds Suburbia by the Pet Shop Boys and Subdivisions by Rush It is also often criticized by city planners and architects as its construction tends to overlook required elements of successful community building instead creating a homogeneous residential neighborhood with no walkability local employment commerce services or attractions within close commuting distance This leads to a heavy reliance on automobile travel as residents are unable to address any of these needs locally 4 See also editExurb Housing estate List of house styles List of house types Railroad apartment Row houseReferences edit Kershner Kate 2012 05 02 Why do cookie cutter neighborhoods exist HowStuffWorks Retrieved 2017 03 23 Cray Dan 2002 03 13 15 Milestones That Changed Housing This Old House Retrieved 2017 03 23 a b Custer Jack August 1988 Orange Coast Magazine Customizing your tract home Emmis Communications p 160 White Shelley 15 April 2016 Why commuting costs can make the burbs more expensive than living downtown The Globe and Mail Retrieved 10 April 2018 External links edit nbsp Media related to Tract housing at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tract housing amp oldid 1201547701, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
