[maxsilver]

I don't understand these criticisms. As an American, I think our cities would be vastly improved if we copied this form of housing for lots of people, instead of just low-income housing. (In my city, the low-income-only housing is usually the highest quality housing across the city, and is far nicer than anything a mid-income person is allowed to purchase).

The current alternative that US prefers is far worse, in my opinion -- these micro-unit apod-ment things, with no personal space, no outdoor space, grossly overburdened personal-areas-forced-into-common-areas, and general dorm-room-for-life lifestyle.

[dionidium]

The research on this tells a pretty dismal story. They seem like they should be better, but people almost universally report preferring the slums that were torn down to build them.

Communities that grow organically look messy and gross. And there's a certain personality type that wants to come in and fix the mess.

But it just doesn't turn out to work that way.