19th Century Housing Regulations

Summary

In this discussion, Ed Glaeser and Ingrid Ellen explore the history and evolution of housing regulations in New York. They focus on key moments like the 1867 Tenement Act, which responded to poor living conditions and health crises such as cholera, and the 1916 zoning ordinance, which addressed issues of light, shadow, and skyscraper design. Both speakers highlight how these regulations, motivated by public health and urban growth, shaped the city's architecture and residential life, ultimately impacting the way New Yorkers experience their environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The origins of housing market regulations in New York date back to the 19th century, with reforms driven by significant health and safety concerns.
• 😀 The 1867 Tenement Act was passed in response to horrific living conditions in crowded tenement buildings, where up to 20 families lived in one unit.
• 😀 These early regulations aimed to address externalities such as fire hazards, lack of sanitation, and poor living conditions, notably lack of water, sewage, light, and air.
• 😀 Reformers during the 19th century pushed for health and safety measures like requiring one toilet per 20 people, reflecting the urgent need for change.
• 😀 The 1866 cholera outbreak in New York emphasized the importance of clean water, leading to requirements for connections to sewer systems and clean water pipes.
• 😀 Progressive Era reforms often exaggerated the connection between bad housing and bad people but still addressed critical public health issues.
• 😀 New York's population boom in the 19th century (with density levels reaching 240,000 people per square mile in some areas) exacerbated overcrowding and poor living conditions.
• 😀 The 1916 zoning ordinance was not primarily concerned with health but with managing the shadows cast by tall skyscrapers and preserving light in the city.
• 😀 The 1916 zoning laws introduced a 'wedding cake' or 'ziggurat' design, requiring buildings to step back from the street as they rose, allowing more light to reach the ground.
• 😀 The impact of these regulations is visible in the iconic architecture of New York, such as the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and Woolworth Building, which all reflect the 'wedding cake' design.

Q & A

What was the motivation behind the 1867 Tenement Act?

The 1867 Tenement Act was passed to address the horrific living conditions in tenement buildings during the 19th century in New York. These buildings were overcrowded, lacked basic sanitation, and posed health risks such as cholera outbreaks. The reforms aimed to improve health and safety by setting minimum standards for housing.

Why was housing regulation important in the 19th century?

Housing regulation became crucial due to rapid urbanization and population growth in New York during the 19th century. The booming population led to the construction of poorly designed and overcrowded tenements, which were unsafe and unsanitary. Regulations were needed to mitigate the health and safety hazards caused by these living conditions.

What were the conditions like in the tenement buildings before regulations?

Before the regulations, many tenement buildings were overcrowded, with some housing up to 20 families in small spaces. They lacked basic facilities like water, sewage systems, proper ventilation, and adequate lighting. The buildings were also fire hazards and were prone to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.

What health concerns led to the passing of the Tenement Act?

The key health concern was the cholera epidemic of 1866, which highlighted the connection between poor sanitation and disease. The reformers pushed for regulations requiring proper sewage systems and access to clean water to reduce the spread of diseases and improve living conditions.

How did the 19th-century housing reforms address the issue of sanitation?

The reforms introduced basic sanitation requirements, such as the installation of toilets at a ratio of one per 20 people. They also mandated connections to sewers and pipes to improve access to clean water, which was critical in preventing the spread of cholera and other diseases.

What was the purpose of the 'dumbbell tenements'?

Dumbbell tenements were designed to address the lack of light and air in previous tenements. These buildings featured a central space or shaft between apartments, allowing for better ventilation and light. However, these spaces were still often overcrowded and became fire hazards.

Why was the 1901 Tenement Law important?

The 1901 Tenement Law addressed the flaws in earlier tenement designs, such as the dumbbell structures that were still too small and dangerous. The new law required more space per building and stricter enforcement of health and safety standards, leading to improved living conditions for tenants.

What motivated the 1916 zoning ordinance in New York?

The 1916 zoning ordinance was motivated by concerns over the impact of skyscrapers on the city's light and air. As skyscrapers began to rise, there was fear that narrow streets would be overshadowed, diminishing the quality of life in New York's dense urban environment. The ordinance aimed to manage the height and design of new buildings to ensure light and air reached the streets.

How did the 1916 zoning ordinance regulate building height?

The 1916 zoning ordinance did not impose a strict height limit on buildings. Instead, it introduced the 'wedding cake' or 'ziggurat' design, which allowed buildings to rise vertically but required them to step back as they grew taller, depending on street width. This design ensured that tall buildings wouldn't block light and air for those on the streets below.

What is the significance of the wedding cake design in New York's architecture?

The wedding cake design, required by the 1916 zoning ordinance, shaped the iconic appearance of many New York skyscrapers. It allowed for tall buildings while preventing them from casting too much shadow on the streets below. The design became a hallmark of New York's skyline, influencing the construction of famous buildings like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.