Search

Commissioned by the New York State Center for Migrant Studies to develop a report on improvement in the living environment of migrant workers during their sojourn within New York State, the author draws his conclusions from such information sources as interviews with migrants, growers, and state and national officials; personal labor camp visits; and printed materials. Although the author's expertise is mainly in the field of housing, this final report was critiqued by individuals knowledgeable about New York's migrants and their problems. Since it is concluded that "the best way to improve the environment for the migrant is for the migrant to drop out of the migratory stream," development of a New York State alternate agricultural labor force is suggested. Also recommended is the establishment of a Rural Development Corporation (as a corollary to the existing State Urban Development Corporation) to provide growers, migrants, nonprofit groups, and local governments technical and financial assistance for rural needs in the areas of environmental improvement and low-income housing (including migrant housing). Among the 8 major recommendations, it is further noted that greater emphasis should be placed on job training programs both in New York State and in the migrant home areas to aid transition from migrancy to a sedentary life-style. Included in the report in addition to discussions of the problem, the forces of change, and a program of housing are findings and recommendations, 10 references, a 57-item bibliography, an appendix interpreting a special 1968 survey of farm camps, 6 tables, 3 maps, and 2 graphs. (MJB)

Intended to assist the producer in meeting the housing regulations of Federal, state, and local governments for migratory workers and thereby to attract better labor through adequate housing, this agricultural handbook contains discussions of the migrant-labor situation; regulations and standards; general housing considerations (i.e., length of occupancy, farm-based or central camps, rental charges, constraints to housing improvements); specific housing considerations (i.e., housing site, water supply, excreta and liquid-waste disposal, essentials for good housing, housing space and arrangements [space, separate sleeping facilities, individual family units, sleeping and central-facilities combination, a motel-type housing unit, and trailers]); choice of materials and construction methods in terms of floors, floor coverings, walls and partitions, roofs, roofing, painting; lighting; ventilation and screening; heating; toilet facilities (flush toilets, septic privies, chemical toilets, pit-type privies [traditional type]); facilities for bathing, laundering, and hand washing; cooking and eating facilities (individual units, communal cooking and eating, and central mess facilities); garbage and other refuse disposal; insect and rodent control; fire, safety, and first aid; health units and sanitation; child-care centers; recreation; landscaping, camp layout and roads; management; financing; and investment and operation costs. Included are 5 tables and 50 figures. (MJB)

This report presents a brief historical review of the background and function of the planned retirement community and an analysis and comparison of responses of males living in two modern retirement communities--Sun City, Florida, and Sun City, Arizona. The results indicated that the respondents differed slightly on a number of background variables (e.g., migrant's origins, years in residence), but were similar on many factors (e.g., age, family size, and marriage patterns). The Florida sample was slightly higher in financial, occupational, and educational areas. A majority of the respondents from both groups gave favorable responses on subjective evaluations of health. Results from the Life Satisfaction Scale showed that Arizona respondents had higher life satisfaction than the Florida sample. It is suggested that researchers should analyze the effects on the community and environment upon the aged, specifically social participation and social interaction, and whether differences found in this study can be attributed to the planned community itself or to the background and financial factors. To maintain viable communities, it is felt that the developers need to correct some of the inadequacies found. (JS)

This unit resource guide is one of a series prepared for grade 2 on the theme Families Around the World. For this study of the Israeli Kibbutz background material is presented for teacher describing: 1) site, 2) social structure including major values and family structure, 3) the functions of the family, and 4) the Kibbutz as a family. Objectives for this cultural study are defined, noting concepts and objectives as well as attitudes and skills to be developed. Teaching strategies are described for 2 initiatory and 57 developmental activities in a format designed to help teachers see the relationships among objectives, content, teaching procedures, and materials of instruction. Audiovisual aids and printed materials to be used are listed with each activity and a general list of educational media is given. Appendices include many pupil materials prepared for this unit, such as map exercises, information summaries, study questions, language games, and some original stories for socio-drama and role playing. A related guide, SO 001 283, outlines the entire unit sequence for grade 1 and 2. Other documents in this curriculum series are SO 001 275 through SO 001 287. (Author/JSB)

Typical objectives of urban planners are reviewed and 3 are selected as relevant to this study which focuses on density as a measure of the number of dwellings per given land area, as distinguished from number of persons per room. Those selected: (1) consider the juxtaposition of housing and other land uses; (2) relate density to desired patterns of social interaction; and (3) by clustering dwellings around a common open space, aim at creating a sense of place or spatial identity to contribute to residents' feelings of satisfaction. The data from the study are presented to investigate the relationship of these objectives to the reactions of residents living in neighborhoods of varying densities. In general, residents of higher density neighborhoods did not know their neighbors better and were less satisfied with their neighborhood than those residing in areas of lower density. These results indicate that some aspects of behavior, particularly social interaction, may not be related to dwelling unit densities as customarily assumed by planners, designers and social scientists. (TL)

The workbook which was the subject of this evaluation was prepared to aid disenfranchised community groups participate in the nonprofessional planning and decisionmaking process. It was written at a time when extensive technical assistance to local groups concerned with community planning and housing situations was envisioned. The intent behind this evaluation was to determine the extent to which the workbook methods and materials were applied, the areas in which they were most useful; and to identify necessary revisions and directions requiring further research. The report summarizes in outline form the exact nature of the replies and presents the critical commentary offered by respondents. Appendixes provide more extensive information from questionnaire responses and summarize the workbook. (Author/DN)

The purpose of this study was to develop a "Foster Community" which is a small town in which local residents welcome ex-psychiatric patients and interact with them in a manner that evokes no community censure or disruption of personal life styles. The first facet consisted of the organization of a series of activities to reduce the social distance between patients and members of the community, and the development of a foster home program. The second facet was the establishment of a resocialization and remotivation program to ready patients for community placement. Continuing medical, psychiatric, and social services were provided to insure the maintenance of community cooperation and maintenance of the patient at the appropriate level of functioning. The town of New Haven, Missouri, was developed into a foster community and presently seventeen patients are in the program. Results thus far demonstrate that: (1) a community can be induced to sponsor such a program, (2) enlightened community attitudes follow from direct exposure to patients, (3) families offer homes and support independent living arrangements in the town, and (4) a patient's condition improves further with a planned resocialization and remotivation program. (author/RSM)

Metropolitan areas, as a group, have had the greatest increase in population from 1960 to 1965. One of the major factors of growth has been the in-migration of people from rural parts of the country. One problem created by the influx of people into the cities has been the growth of the ghetto. Conditions of the ghetto, such as overcrowding and poor sanitation facilities, are a contributing factor to riots, although not the primary cause. The Negro population, which accounts for most of the ghettos, has also increased in the urban areas from 12% in 1950 to 20% in 1965. A solution to the plight of the city is the idea of "new communities." These communities would have a pre-determined population figure and would make land available for industry or would be accessible to industry. Another solution would be the overhaul of land use regulations and a more effective system to control and guide developers. In conclusion, a national policy to deal with urban growth would be desirable in order to provide the cities with a framework in which to work more effectively in solving their growth problems. (RH)

A class composed of many minority group children in a low socio-economic area school some distance from Hunters Point, developed this Proposal in a self-created social studies unit. The children and their teacher had been motivated by a summer crisis which had the city in a turmoil. They decided to investigate what could be done to improve the community, and, to make the community their classroom. Newspapers were devoured, city authorities and personnel on the Redevelopment Planning Board were interviewed, the slums were visited, conditions with regard to education and recreation were researched. An elementary teacher education class at San Francisco State College worked with them. The sixth grade plan included: cooperative integrated housing projects, an African-Negro Cultural Center, a rapid transit line, medical facilities, new schools, and, parks and recreational facilities. The costs of their plan were analyzed, and it was suggested that the State, the City, and the Federal Government would share these costs. The residents of the community would take part in planning and the actual construction thereby providing jobs for the black residents. Later, as a compliment to their dreams, the city approved a plan for this area incorporating many of their ideas. (SBE)

Presented are program alternatives for operating an innovative school system for Fort Lincoln New Town (FLNT) in Washington, D.C. General Learning Corp (GLC), retained by the school system, offers this report of the "definition phase" of the planning effort during which community residents, D.C. Schools, Government agencies, GLC, and others defined the needs, goals, and resources of the FLNT Education System. Contents include: History of the FLNT project and a summary of related planning documents with emphasis on educational recommendations, GLC planning design, definition phase activities (community, demographic, resource surveys), goals constraints, alternative plan, feasibility, and recommended plan. (For related documents see ED 047 171 through ED 047 188.) (Author/LS)

Using a grant under Title I of the Higher Education Act, during the 1967-1968 school year Paducah Junior College initiated a series of semindars for community leaders on the problems of urbanization. The program subsequently was expanded--(1) to present a series of public lectures on topics related to community needs, (2) to creat a working relationship between the city administration and the academic community to gather data on community conditions by using the research facilities of the university, and (3) to initiate an experimental program in the performing arts in disadvantaged areas to develop rapport which could be used in solving community problems. The public lectures, which make up the bulk of the report, deal with urban renewal efforts in St. Louis, a low-income housing project in Paducah, the status of civic beautification in the city, and ways that a community can attract desirable industry. Also included is a brief descriptive final report on the activities and expenditures of the project. (EF)

An Open Space Policy Plan was developed for the State of New Jersey to provide an adequate blueprint for preserving open space and creating a desirable recreational environment in the State in anticipation of expected increases in population and urbanization. Consideration was given to local, county, State, and Federal responsibilities in the development of an open space statewide program. Emphasis was placed on the priority for open space planning and acquisition in the northern half of the State because of an already existing deficit in open space acreage in that area. Plans for both the 10 and 20 million levels of population were considered. In effect, the Open Space Policy Plan was designed to make future open space easily accessible by locating it in close proximity to potential and already existing urbanizing areas of the State. (VM)

PART OF THE PLANNING NECESSARY FOR THE NEW CITY OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND (PROJECTED POPULATION OF 125,000) HAS BEEN THE ORGANIZATION OF AN OPTIMUM PROGRAM OF INFORMATION SERVICES FOR ALL AREAS OF ITS LIFE--BOTH FOR THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL AND FOR ITS SCHOOLS, INDUSTRIES, AND BUSINESSES. COMMUNICATIONS, TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND A GENERAL PLAN MAKING EXTENSIVE USE OF COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION SYSTEMS, CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION, SHARED COMPUTER SERVICES, AND OTHER PROGRAMS, ALL ADMINISTERED BY THE COLUMBIA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE AGENCY, HAS BEEN PROPOSED. VILLAGE LIBRARIES, WHICH ARE TO BE PLACED IN POPULATION AREAS OF APPROXIMATELY 3000 FAMILIES, WILL HAVE THE DUAL PURPOSE OF SERVING THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS, AND BEING A BRANCH OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE TOWN CENTER LIBRARY MAY BECOME THE FOCAL CENTER FOR ALL LIBRARY AND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FOR THE TOWN. THE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE, UNDER CONTRACT, FOR ALL BASIC LIBRARY SERVICES FOR BOTH THE VILLAGE AND TOWN CENTER LIBRARIES, AND FOR THE SCHOOL AND ACADEMIC LIBRARIES, INCLUDING CENTRAL PROCESSING, ADMINISTRATION OF PAPERBACK SALES, PROVISION FOR AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS, AND ADMINISTRATION OF A CENTRAL SCIENTIFIC-TECHNICAL REFERENCE CENTER. (CM)

The author proposes that residential segregation is presently one of the greatest national problems. Suburban "white nooses" surround the cities, in which are concentrated the swelling nonwhite population. Former Federal mortgage policies gave preference to "modal" families--young, upwardly mobile couples with children, and thus excluded low-income families. Urban public housing fostered Negro dominance in cities as whites moved away, while urban renewal tended to create while white middle- and upper-middle enclaves. "Blockbusting," a prime example of private discrimination for profit, contributed to segregation patterns. The "new towns," self-contained urban complexes, in many ways also may perpetuate segregation. However, there are forces for change--nondiscriminatory Federal regulations, state and local fair housing laws, privately developed interracial communities, grass roots efforts to stabilize changing neighborhoods, and suburban fair housing groups. The needed massive National measures to end segregation would require comprehensive Federal planning and incentives, new types of subsidies to low income groups, higher minority incomes, and vigorous enforcement of anti-discrimination and equal opportunity laws. (NH)

The eztent of local authority, approaches to growth management, exclusionary effects, and the economic impacts of real estate development are controversial aspects of growth control. (Author/JP)

Proposes that the utilization of the "benign quota" or the "planned interracial community" practice, wisely and cautiously administered, may actually expedite the process of desegregation: "benign quota" calls for the use of an agreed upon percentage representation of blacks (or any other minority) and whites (or any other majority), it is stated here. (Author/JM)

In the fall of 1973, Grand Rapids, Michigan, hosted an ambitious citywide exhibit of monumental public sculpture. Thirteen public sculptures were placed around the city as the result of cooperation between civic leaders (plus the co-sponsorship of the museum) and art professionals. (BT)

An examination of Synanon's innovative experiment in collective child rearing and education which includes a detailed description of the Synanon School, including its history and development, organization, and census data on its resident children. Special emphasis is placed on Synanon as a new, emerging self-contained community, the extensive use of small group processes, and the utilization of many adults as parenting figures. (Author/EH)

In this article, renewal of the inner urban edge is discussed. Norfolk (Virginia) is attempting to blur the difference between old and new neighbor hoods through zoning and architectural controls. Cincinnati (Ohio) is developing an environmentally sound hillside design. Reading (Pennsylvania) is utilizing old railyards for greenbelts of hiking and biking paths. (MA)

Utopolis, an imaginary community, was created by 48 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students. Given only geographical boundaries, the group created the town complete with its many complex and interrelated problems. (NQ)

This study investigates the planned and unplanned events and processes of the social impact of a new town on the suburban county in which it is located. The dialectic of planned and unplanned impacts is analyzed in the institutional areas of government, services, education, transportation, housing, leisure and employment. (BT)

Recognizing that the need to exchange information has been one of the critical influences in urban design, the Twenty-First Colston Research Society (CRS) Conference explored a variety of topics in the area of communications, transportation, and the environment. These subjects were pursued from the British experience and most all the papers have specific relevance to either Greater London or Great Britain. Primarily the conference scrutinized the current concept of "city" by means of a theoretical systems analysis that was based on information flow. Also discussed were the future of urban planning, telecommunication, public transportation, and human interaction. A simulation model for use as a design tool by planners was presented. (MC)

A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR MIGRATORY FARM LABORERS HOME-BASED IN SOUTH TEXAS IS PROPOSED. THE PURPOSE IS TO DESIGN A PLANNED COMMUNITY CONTAINING HOUSING, HEALTH FACILITIES, ORIENTATION AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, JOB-PLACEMENT FACILITIES, AND SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES. THE PLANNED COMMUNITY WOULD PROVIDE SAFE, SANITARY, AND DECENT SHELTER, IT WOULD PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPLEMENT STABILIZING JOB-PLACEMENT PRACTICES. SOCIAL AGENCIES AND TEACHERS WOULD HAVE A BASE FROM WHICH TO BEGIN THE WORK OF ORIENTATION AND EDUCATION TO ENABLE THE MIGRANT TO FIND A PRODUCTIVE AND STABLE PLACE IN THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY. A NEIGHBORHOOD OF HOUSES WOULD FORM A COMMUNITY TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE MIGRATORY FARM LABOR FAMILY. JOB-PLACEMENT FACILITIES WOULD FORM AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY CONCEPT. HEALTH FACILITIES OF AT LEAST A MINIMAL NATUE SHOULD BE PROVIDED. SPACE FOR CHEST X-RAY. INOCULATION, MATERNITY CARE, AND CONSULTATION IS ESSENTIAL TO BEGIN TO REVERSE THE HIGH INCIDENCE AMONG MIGRANTS OF TUBERCULOSIS AND OTHER RESPIRATORY DISEASES, INFANT MORTALITY, AND PARASITIC INFESTATION. SPACE FOR THE EDUCATION AND ORIENTATION OF MIGRANTS SHOULD CONTAIN ROOM FOR A LANGUAGE PROGRAM. SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES WOULD GROW AS THE COMMUNITY BECOMES MORE STABLE. THE SELECTION OF THE SITE FOR THE PROJECT DEPENDS UPON SPONSORSHIP AND AVAILABILITY OF FINANCING. ANALYSIS SHOULD BE MADE OF INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE NEEDS OF MIGRANTS, OF SUITABLE AND AVAILABLE SITES FOR THE PROJECT, AND OF METHODS OF FINANCING. A PROGRAM SHOULD BE DRAFTED WHICH CONTAINS THE CHOICE OF THE SPONSOR, THE CHOICE OF SITE, THE BUDGET, THE METHOD OF FINANCING, AND THE DESIGN AND PLANNING CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT. DESIGN SHOULD INCLUDE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SITE PLANS, BUILDING DESIGNS, OUTLINE SPECIFICATIONS OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES, AND COST ESTIMATES. GRAPHS INTERPRETING STATISTICS AND LETTERS OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST AND COOPERATION FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE INCLUDED.

Describes residence hall complex at Syracuse University which possesses unique attribute of being the only facility of its kind in the country which is adjacent to and shares common buildings with a home for senior citizens. This arrangement has made possible a variety of relationships between university students and the older residents of Toomey Abbott Towers. (Author)

Article is a further development of Satellite Communities," which appeared in the January-February, 1972 issue of the Center Magazine." (RJ)