The Pros and Cons of Levittown: a Look into The Birthplace of Suburbia

Levittown, a suburb located in Long Island, New York, is widely known as the birthplace of suburbanization. Built in the late 1940s, Levittown was created by real estate developer Levitt and Sons, providing affordable houses for the returning World War II veterans and their growing families. This community was a symbol of the American dream with its white picket fences, identical houses, and access to land and nature. In this essay, I will examine the pros and cons of Levittown, exploring its impact on American culture, urbanization, and society.

Pros:

1. Accessibility and Affordability
   Levittown was built to provide affordable housing for working-class families who were in need of decent and safe living conditions. The houses were designed to be identical in size, shape, and layout, reducing construction costs and making it possible for large numbers of people to purchase their own homes. Levittown became a symbol of the American dream, providing people with access to land, parks, and open spaces, something that was not possible in crowded and expensive urban areas.
2. Growth of the Suburban Lifestyle
   Levittown was significant in shaping the suburban culture. This new lifestyle was promoted as an escape from the dirty and dangerous cities, where people could raise their children in safer and healthier environments. Suburbs offered more privacy, quietness, and offered the opportunity for people to develop their communities and social networks. Levittown was the first planned suburban area, leading the way for the development of more houses, schools, shopping centers, and parks in other cities across the country.
3. The Levittown Model
   Levitt and Sons used their experience in mass-producing airplanes to develop an efficient and cost-effective way of constructing houses. The Levittown model included a division of labor, interchangeable parts, and mass-produced building materials, speeding up the production and reducing construction time. This model made it possible to build homes at a lower cost, helping to shape the suburban landscape.

Cons:

1. Homogeneity and Exclusion
   Levittown’s uniformity promoted homogeneity, meaning that the houses were designed to look the same, with no or little variation in the architecture. This was done to achieve economies of scale in construction, but it also created an environment that was homogeneous and lacked the diversity that is found in urban settings. Levittown’s strict housing policies only allowed white people to purchase homes, excluding minorities and African Americans. This was due to redlining policies, which prohibited Black people from living in the new suburban areas.
2. Lack of Public Transit
   Levittown and other suburban communities were built on the assumption that people would use their cars to commute to work and other places. This lack of public transportation made it difficult for people who couldn’t afford a car to reach their workplace or school. This model also meant that people were isolated from each other and from the rest of society, promoting an individualistic and car-dependent culture.
3. Environmental Impact
   The Levittown model required vast amounts of land, trees, and open spaces to build homes and other infrastructure. This model promoted urban sprawl and contributed to the loss of green spaces and wildlife habitat. Additionally, the car-oriented model of transportation led to pollution, traffic congestion, and contributed to climate change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Levittown was a significant development in American culture and society, changing the way people live and work. Its impact on suburbanization, housing, and transportation models is still felt today. The pros and cons of Levittown illustrate the complex nature of the suburban lifestyle, highlighting the need for balance between affordability, accessibility, and environmental concerns. As we continue to develop our cities and communities, it is important that we learn from the successes and failures of the past, ensuring that our society is sustainable, inclusive, and promotes the well-being of all.