Housing Crisis and Trump and His Classic Buildings

Reconstruction

3 Days to Build Your Sustainable Legacy in 2025 (AND BEYOND!)

The Reconstruction is coming, and your chance to transform your career in sustainability has a date and time set! December 9th, 11th, and 13th at 03PM UTC!!

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✅ Three levels packed with actionable knowledge:

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• Level 2: Energy Efficiency and Passive Design

• Level 3: Green Certifications and ESG Principles

✅ A Personalized Action Plan to apply in the real world
✅ Networking with a global community
✅ Certificate of Participation

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• Tackle real-world challenges and learn how to overcome them.

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See you in the game,
The UGREEN Team

P.S.: This event is for everyone — architects, engineers, students, sustainability advocates, and innovators ready to make a difference. Don’t miss out!

Classical Architecture and Trump

Classical Architecture and Trump: Impacts and Debates on the Future of Federal Buildings

Trump's Classic Buildings: A New Era in Federal Architecture

Exploring the 2020 Executive Order and Its Impacts
On December 21, 2020, then-President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order aimed at promoting classical architecture as the preferred style for federal buildings in the United States. This decision sparked intense debates within the architectural and political communities, focusing on issues of aesthetics and civic identity.

Background of the Executive Order

Trump's order sought to shape the future of federal architectural projects by ensuring public buildings were "beautiful" and inspired civic pride, returning to the tradition of classical architecture.

The objective was to reverse the modernist trend adopted since the 1950s and to criticize federal architecture considered "unappealing" by many. However, on February 26, 2021, President Joe Biden revoked this directive through Executive Order 14018, marking a return to stylistic diversity in federal construction.

Historical Context: Classical Architecture and Its Advocates

The order drew inspiration from Greco-Roman architecture, emphasizing buildings that symbolized strength, utility, and beauty. Classical landmarks such as the Parthenon and the Roman Forum were highlighted as embodiments of democratic virtues. This vision was supported by Founding Fathers like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who sought to reflect the civic and democratic values of the young nation. Their influence is evident in Pierre Charles L’Enfant's plans for Washington, D.C., and in classical landmarks like the Second Bank of the United States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon.

Shift to Modernist Architecture

By the 1950s, federal architecture embraced modernism, guided by the 1962 "Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture." This shift, championed by figures like Daniel Patrick Moynihan, argued that buildings should reflect their contemporary era while being functional and forward-looking.

Controversial Modernist Examples:

• J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building (Washington, D.C.)

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Washington, D.C.)

• Salt Lake City Federal Courthouse (Utah)

Key Provisions of the Executive Order

The order emphasized Neoclassical, Beaux-Arts, and Greek Revival styles as preferred models for new projects, while discouraging Brutalist and Deconstructivist styles due to their use of exposed concrete, rigid geometries, and fragmented aesthetics. To ensure compliance with these guidelines, the Presidential Council for Improving Federal Civic Architecture was established, consisting of government officials and citizen appointees.

Supporters of the Executive Order

The National Civic Art Society (NCAS) argued that modern architecture was "dehumanizing," while classical designs provided a timeless appeal that aligned with democratic ideals. An example of this perspective is the Tuscaloosa Federal Courthouse, which was praised for its classical design.

Opponents of the Executive Order

• American Institute of Architects (AIA): The AIA opposed imposing a single style, emphasizing the importance of architectural diversity and innovation.

• Critiques: The order was seen as limiting artistic freedom and overlooking evolving modern needs. Celebrated modernist structures, like the Salt Lake City Federal Courthouse, demonstrated contemporary architecture's ability to embody civic ideals.

Trump's executive order to promote classical architecture sparked an important conversation about the role of federal buildings in reflecting both symbolic and practical values. Supporters embraced it as a revival of democratic and historical principles, while critics argued it restricted creativity and the ability to meet modern demands.

By revoking the order, Biden signaled a shift toward a more inclusive approach, embracing a variety of styles to reflect the nation's diversity and adapt to the challenges of the future.

Global Housing Crisis

Challenges and Sustainable Solutions for a Better Future

The Global Housing Crisis and Sustainable Solutions

Exploring the Housing Crisis and Innovations for a Better Future

The Global Housing Crisis in Numbers

Currently, around 1.6 billion people lack access to adequate housing, and by 2030, an estimated 3 billion will require new homes. To meet this demand, 96,000 affordable housing units would need to be built daily.

This crisis spans both developed and developing nations, driven by challenges like rapid urban population growth and the decline of public housing.

Causes of the Housing Crisis

The housing crisis is a multifaceted issue with interlinked causes:

Rapid urbanization has led to uncontrolled city growth, creating a demand for housing that governments and the private sector struggle to meet. Cities like New York and São Paulo are particularly affected by significant population surges. Compounding this issue is the financialization of housing, where real estate is treated as a financial asset, prioritizing investor profit over social needs and making housing increasingly inaccessible for the majority.

The decline in public housing further aggravates the crisis, with investment in social housing drastically reduced in many countries. In the United States, only 1.5% of housing is public, a stark contrast to Vienna, Austria, where 60% of the population lives in public housing. Income inequality intensifies the problem, concentrating wealth and leaving lower-income groups increasingly unable to afford homes. Finally, inadequate policies, including poor regulation and tax incentives for investors, contribute to the ongoing shortage of affordable housing.

Consequences of the Housing Crisis

• Increased Social Inequality: Difficulty accessing decent housing widens the gap between rich and poor.

• Rising Homelessness: Cities like Los Angeles saw a 25% increase in homelessness from 2018 to 2020.

• Strain on Urban Infrastructure: Inadequate housing pressures public services, unable to keep pace with population growth.

Sustainable and Innovative Solutions

Various sustainable solutions are being implemented globally to address this crisis:

Community Land Trusts (CLTs), like Dudley Neighbors Incorporated in Boston, play a crucial role in creating affordable housing by acquiring land and ensuring long-term affordability. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) also contribute significantly, as seen in projects like the Ivanhoe Estate in Sydney, which added 3,000 housing units to the supply.

Sustainable construction materials further enhance affordability and environmental responsibility. In India, Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) utilizes recycled, low-cost materials to reduce environmental impact and accelerate construction timelines. Similarly, 3D-printed homes are transforming housing construction, with a 100-home community in Georgetown, Texas, achieving approximately 20% cost savings.

Innovative technologies like modular construction and mass timber are also advancing the housing sector by reducing waste and environmental impact while increasing construction efficiency.

Policy Approaches to Housing

Some countries have implemented effective public policies to tackle the housing crisis:

Vienna, Austria, stands out as a success story in affordable housing, with 60% of its population living in public housing, catering to diverse social classes. In Japan, flexible zoning laws have significantly increased the housing supply, maintaining relatively affordable prices even amidst rapid urban growth. New Zealand has implemented policies to restrict foreign investors while incentivizing new housing construction to combat rising home prices. Meanwhile, the Netherlands has set an ambitious goal of building 900,000 new homes by 2030, aiming to balance housing supply and demand effectively.

Regulations and Tenant Protections

• Rent Control: Cities like New York have adopted policies to limit rent increases and protect tenants from excessive adjustments.

• Anti-Eviction Laws: Legislation against unjust evictions ensures housing security and reduces homelessness.

A Path to Sustainable Solutions

The global housing crisis is a complex challenge that demands a multisectoral approach. Governments, the private sector, and civil society must collaborate to prioritize affordable and sustainable housing construction.

Key recommendations include prioritizing the construction of affordable homes for low- and middle-income populations and implementing policies to regulate real estate markets and curb speculation. Investing in sustainable technologies can help reduce construction costs and timelines, while increasing public housing investment is essential to ensure access to dignified living conditions for everyone.

By exploring solutions that combine sustainability, accessibility, and innovation, we can build a fairer and better future for everyone