Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-19
POPULATION SHIFT
CHANGES MARKET
Decreased Growth Rate Seer
as Cause of Demand
for improvements.

A new building market, created
through the inroadS of obSoleScence
rather than expansion, may be one of
the results of decreased poplation
growth rate, in the opinion of l.. Seth
Schnitman, chief statiStician, F. w.
Architectural Record. Pointing to the
diversified housing needs of smaller
cities, as compared with cities of 100, 900
and over, Mr.. Schnitnian shows that
one and two family houses in smaller
cities are even now being erected in
greater volume than in 1921, whereas
in cities of over 100000 the apartment
house becomes increasingly important.
In 1921 one and two family houses
erected In the areas outside the cities
of 100000 or more inhabitants repre-
sented 42.5 per cent of all such con-
struction in the country at large. Since
1921, practically without interruption,
this type increased in Importance year
by year. BY 1880 the small dwelling
type in the smaller cities and suburban
areas represented 6S.3 per cent Of all
such construction in the country. These
small centers in 1890 had n combined
population of 32,62e o87. or as per cent
OF the urban population OF the entire
country.
Apartments Less Important.
even In depression one and two fam
fly houses are far more important in
the smaller cities and suburban areas
than they were . decade ago Mr..
Schnitman says. "At the same time.
the apartment type Is OF less importance
than it was 10 years ago. although this
class Of housing. in the intermediate
years, made measurable threads on the
one and two family houses, even in the
smaller cities and suburban areas
"In the past the erection of new
dwelling units, whether multi-family or
single family houses, has been deter
mined by population growth. Signifi-
cant changes loom In dwelling types of
the future If the shifts In population
characteristics are carefully weighed,
end more especially II the building in
dustry is to maintain its present plant
and personnel.
"On population growth alone. the
prospects for utilizing existing facilities
over the next few years are not par
ticularly bright" the writer continues.
"a fuller use of these facilities for new
building must come largely from the
development OF a new and untapped
market. Provide practical and con-
tinuing solution for the problems of OBJ
solescence In housing and at once such
q market is opened, requiring only ac-
tive and methOdic cultivation.
Quantity production and mass mer-
chandising of housing must be geared
to insure profitable operations for the
building industry. But they will not
mesh unless obSolescence becomes an
increasingly more important factor in
new residential building than it has
been hitherto.
THE building industry needs an OBJ
solescence and replacement philosophy
to combat actively the implications Of
q declining birth rate, q rise In the
curve Of celibacy. q diminution of the
child ratio and the sharp decline in our
growth rate.
Buildings are obsolete when they no
longer are suited to the needs Of a
population which has been educated to
higher living standards.
Our population has been educated to
housekeeping efficiency and canned
foods. It has been taught the wisdom
Of leisure and the worth Of play. But
our obsolete residential structures still
persist, though they no longer suit the
changing demands Of q population
which has been educated to better
standards"