https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow To what extent is the Santa Clarita Valley a modern-day Levittown? en-us 2016-04-18 21:26:42 UTC 2023-02-14 02:04:20 UTC hello@padlet.com lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106418395 Today’s SCV certainly resembles the 50’s Levittown to a fairly large extent, sharing commonalities in infrastructure and property enhancement.  Both communities seek to break away from the rigid nature of the urban cities.  Though similar in physical ways, however, Levittown differs from SCV in many social aspects including sales discrimination and the construction process.  Differences in time periods equate to differences in public mindsets and behaviors.]]> 2016-04-18 21:27:56 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106418395 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106419101 As opposed to the geometric structure of the urban cities, suburban SCV and Levittown maintain a rather curvy and more relaxing city organization.  As Penn Kimball from NY Times Magazine explains, “Streets are curved gently for further esthetic effect, and to slow down auto traffic.” Suburbia, therefore, delivers the impression of not only beauty and visual appeal in infrastructure but also creativity and innovation existent in a new and developing America.  Curviness strengthens American optimism beyond the 50’s.  Today, SCV’s free-flow city planning can also signify a fulfillment of the bright outlook in the 50’s and a continuation of a futuristic view.]]> 2016-04-18 21:35:16 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106419101 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106428856 In addition to city organization, both SCV and Levittown share similar traits in terms of design.  For example, despite an avoidance of conformity, street names of particular areas tend to revolve around themes like famous book authors’ last names in Stevenson Ranch (Poe, Melville, Twain, Hemingway, etc.).  In Levittown, sixteen neighborhoods “each [bear] distinctive place names like Stonybrook, Lakeside, Birch Valley” (Kimball). Moreover, in both SCV and Levittown, “[growing] trees enhance the value of property” (Kimball).  In sharp contrast to the industry-like urban cities, suburbia placed emphasis on aesthetic worth and nature.]]> 2016-04-18 23:49:59 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106428856 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106429207 LEVITTOWN
[Bass, Frank. “Suburban Pioneer Levittown Thrives as Imitators Falter.” Bloomberg. July 24, 2013.]]]> 2016-04-18 23:54:24 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106429207 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106429312 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY]]> 2016-04-18 23:55:35 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106429312 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106430346 LEVITTOWN
["Levittown". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2016.]]]> 2016-04-19 00:08:49 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106430346 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106430400 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY]]> 2016-04-19 00:09:39 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106430400 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106430861 Nevertheless, in sharp contrast to today's SCV, the 50's Levittown society hosted many forms of racial discrimination.  Bruce lambert from The NY Times describes, "Whenever historians, planners and sociologists plumb the lessons of Levittown, race always looms... Later arrivals inherited a history that they did not create." Though innovative in purpose, Levittown only benefitted the wealthy, white residents who often maintained an advantage over minorities.  African-American residents bore the brunt of segregation, often being rejected of home sales and living as targets of mob protest.]]> 2016-04-19 00:15:56 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106430861 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106431941 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY]]> 2016-04-19 00:29:50 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106431941 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106432343 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY]]> 2016-04-19 00:34:57 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106432343 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106432486 Similar to the investments made to grow trees in Levittown, Santa Clarita also places much emphasis in protecting Mother Nature not only to promote aesthetic appeal but also to preserve the essence of suburban life.]]> 2016-04-19 00:36:26 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106432486 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106432961 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY]]> 2016-04-19 00:40:55 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106432961 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106433381 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
Today, all students, no matter the ethnicity, receive equal opportunities for public education and learning.]]> 2016-04-19 00:45:57 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106433381 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106433615 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
Today, markets and businesses provide all people, black or white, equal customer services in contrast to the 50's "Designated for White's Only" signs.]]> 2016-04-19 00:49:27 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106433615 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106433893 2016-04-19 00:53:52 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106433893 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106434325 In addition to racism, the diligent work ethic during the 1950s helped construction workers build houses at expedient rates (1 house per day).  As a result of immigrant labor and ineffective maintenance, the status quo, on the other hand, has seen slow efforts on highway systems, unable to compete with the fast pace of the 1950s.  Furthermore, homeowners in the 50's often had a say in the interior and exterior design of their houses.  Today, SCV residents must reside in prebuilt homes with limited authority over the construction of the home.  In fact, oftentimes speculating buyers will visit homes and investigate their interior designs before making deals.]]> 2016-04-19 00:59:25 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106434325 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106435719 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
Continuing from the booming automobile industry in the 1950s, public transportation and commute infrastructure has developed to improve travel for convenience.]]> 2016-04-19 01:15:21 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106435719 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106435843 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
Today's suburban communities and public neighborhoods have developed in terms of the dietary market with the recent development of fast food.]]> 2016-04-19 01:16:48 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106435843 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106436335 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
Telecommunications has allowed the conversation atmosphere to expand.]]> 2016-04-19 01:21:38 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106436335 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106436520 Similar to the 1950s, the SCV community of today expands investment not only in housing but also in other fiscally worthwhile areas.]]> 2016-04-19 01:23:24 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106436520 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106437216 -- DOCUMENTS --

Lambert, Bruce. "At 50, Levittown Contends With Its Legacy of Bias." The New York Times. December 28, 1997

Kimball, Penn. "Dream Town: Large Economy Size." New York Times Magazine. December 14, 1952.]]> 2016-04-19 01:30:37 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106437216 lukekim100 https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106437768 -- VIDEOS --

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WJUVPoCP78

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRShq4Bht7e&list=PL2syH2xCyCoaKO8THfJdHIMLW_1haFUF3]]> 2016-04-19 01:37:43 UTC https://padlet.com/lukekim100/suburbia_thenandnow/wish/106437768