A Discussion About Co-Op City

     Constructed in the 1960s, Co-Op city is an excellent example of affordable housing that succeeded. Located in The Bronx, this community is composed of 35 high rise buildings. The success of Co-Op city is staggering, considering its over 60 year survival in the biggest city in the United States. 

    When considering how this affordable housing option overcame all odd when others (such as Pruitt-Igoe) ended in failure, there are a few important factors to consider. These factors are what I believe led to its success and ultimately was what has kept people living there for almost their entire lives.

Sense of Community

    It is incredibly evident that Co-Op city has fostered a sense of community. For the residents there are many different classes and community activities (especially for seniors) that help create relationship and a sense of pride to live there. Additionally, there are many residents that have lived in Co-Op city since its beginning and remain there to this day. Spending an entire lifetime in a place (usually because of its good amenities, access, safety, etc.) has helped to continue to foster their strong sense of community with their neighbors. Beyond this, Co-Op city has many of its own programs including waste management and policing. These programs make Co-Op city into an entire community, rather than just a cluster of high-rise buildings. 

Management

    Co-Op cities outside management is something I consider to be an important factor it its success. The tenants of Co-Op city are elected to help manage and run the complex, ensuring that the needs of the residents are met and best outcomes possible. Making sure that the government isn't fully responsible for the management and continuation of the complex is very important. Having people that care and have a vested interest in the success of the community is one of the reasons that I believe it has done so well. 

Wider Range of Price

        The range of income to qualify for Co-Op city is more diverse than a lot of existing affordable housing units. I believe that this is a major positive and can create a positive diversity that is more realistic for a successful community. Co-Op cities allows for those who cannot afford typical expensive New York apartments and instead allows reasonable pricing and close access to amenities and jobs, keeping working class people in the city. 

    All of these factors combined has fostered a very positive reputation for Co-Op city. One that has created a community and strong sense of responsibility to the residents. These factors need to be important considerations to designers and community planners when discussing how to correctly implement affordable housing into our cities. In order to prevent future Pruitt-Igoes, and promote future Co-Op cities, we need to be intentional about how we structure our affordable housing communities.