Small Parks Act of 1887
New Tenement Act of 1901
"Some of the changes were purely cosmetic, such as new types and colors of paint..., but others entailed significant structural changes to buildings, such as the moving of walls or introduction of stores..." -Andrew Dolkart, 2001
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"It mandated adequate light and ventilation,... [and] indoor toilets. It became the foundation for a set of continually evolving housing laws, and the modern Housing Maintenance Code." -Gotham Gazette
"Changes, such as efforts to improve lighting, ventilation, and sanitary facilities, made apartments more habitable."
-Andrew Dolkart, 2001 |
Other Reforms
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"Riis was involved in politics mostly behind the scenes:...clearing land for small city parks and playgrounds, building new public schools with roof playgrounds, tearing down the worst of the old tenements and closing the police lodging houses." -Bonnie Yochelson [Student Email Interview, January 7, 2015] |