The Pruitt-Igoe Myth Analysis

The Pruitt-Igoe complex began as a benign plot to provide low-income families with affordable housing, but several decades later, it ended up as a ruined relic of the past. The Pruitt-Igoe Myth tells the story of the transformation of the American city, specifically that of St Louis, Missouri, in the developing era after the second world war, through the lens of the infamous Pruitt-Igoe housing development team and the residents of St. Louis who called the complex home. After WW2, many residents (specifically American whites) began to move to suburbia, phenomena known today as "white flight", which led to a huge demographic shift in the American east coast. Areas that were historical where became majority black in less than a generation. The …show more content…
basement and top floors, which was rare at the time). Yamasaki's proposal for the project incorporated many new ideas and arguably radical ideas, a combination of buildings of different heights and shapes. However, his plan was ultimately scrapped as it conflicted. Due to a severe lack of funding and its subsequent simplification and its main purpose was proclaimed the construction of an increasing number of housing units at the lowest cost. However, this problem has been solved, all the buildings have become the same, 11 stories. Building density has been increased by 2 times, the amount of infrastructure is minimized. Residential complexes that have little resemblance to the original sketches, were commissioned in 1955. Children's playgrounds were far too expensive, so much that they were never built, housing management is not repaired a lot of things like accessories that are broken due to poor quality with materials that are not engaged in gardening. Bristol said in his article that, "This decline in occupancy directly impacted the St. Louis Housing Authority's ability to maintain the project", as E. Meehan had shown. According to the 1949 Housing Act (part of president Truman's "fair deal"), local housing authorities were expected to fund their operations, maintenance, and material needs with the collected rent from the tenants of complexes, like the Pruitt-Igoe. In a period of rising costs and a shrinking tenant population, the Housing Authority found itself in a tight financial situation that negatively affected its ability to conduct basic repairs. In addition, average tenant income was declining according to Bristol. Residents frequently complained about the presence of vermin and cockroaches, likely another reason why many decided to pack their bags and move out.The original project plan called for segregation between African-Americans