Sudhir Venkatesh

Transformation

 

 

In the mid-1990s, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) initiated the large-scale demolition of its distressed public housing developments. Their "Plan for Transformation" involved demolishing 25,000 public housing units and simultaneously relocating over 100,000 African-American and poor tenants to new neighborhoods. The goal was to revitalize Chicago's inner city: its supporters have applauded Mayor Richard J. Daley, while the critics called the initiative a land grab, and a gift to rich developers.

Transformation is a three-part radio documentary about this ambitious public works initiative. It chronicles the birth of public housing, and the history of the CHA and its tenants from the early twentieth century to the contemporary period. The documentary is filled not only with the voices of tenants and their families, but also the thoughts of public officials, policymakers, and civic leaders, such as Supreme Court Justice Seymour Hersch and President Barack Obama, who played key roles in this effort to remake the city.

It provides a social and historical backdrop for the efforts across many American cities to revitalize their neighborhoods and cope with the ever-present challenges of providing decent, affordable housing to its poor and needy citizens. The documentary aired in 2005, on WBEZ, a Chicago public radio station. Sudhir Venkatesh produced and directed the documentary. Andrea Edwards is the sound editor.