The need for better houses and other facilities has never been new. Citizens in many nations are looking forward for their governments to provide for them better shelters among other necessities. However, as it has been the joy of every government to see that the well being of its citizens is given the first priority by providing for them good housing, education, health facilities and food among other necessities, not all governements are well able to accomplish this. Only afew governments have succeeded in ensuring that accessible, enough and quality services in terms of education, shelter and health services are made available to the populace, despite the fact that majority of them are in the race. The United States of America is among the few successful governments that through the initiation of a housing project, has been able not only to provide shelter, health services and education to its citizens, but it has maintained social procreation amenities and upgraded the economy as well. This work is intended to research on the Cahaba Project, as one of the most out standing and successfully planed housing project that the United States of America has ever had since history.
The Cahaba Project was originally designed to cover the area between 1-459 and the jefferson county with some part of the 1-59 region. The area is marked with outstanding landmarks and posts. For instance, the launching of the Cahaba Project was marked with a marker that was located on longitude 33° 37.314′ N, and latitude 86° 36.096′ W. This marker is physically situated in Trussville in Alabama, Jefferson County. It is at the crossroads of the U.S. Highway 11, which is also known as the Main Street, and Parkway Drive on the left hand side as one travels east on the main street. In other words, the marker is within the Trussville AL 35173, post office area, United States of America.
There are, in addition to this, other eight markers that are located atleast within six miles from the main marker. These include; the Trussville, which is about 600 feet away from the main marker, in a straight line. Another marker located on the First Baptist Church of Trussville and it is approximately 0.2 miles away from the main marker. Trussville, Alabama is also another marker that is used to demarcate the Cahaba Project area. It is situated approximately 0.4 miles away from the main marker. The Confederate Storehouse, which had been burned by Federal Troops during the civil war, is located almost 0.4 miles from the core marker. Next to this is the Trussville Furnace, a marker about 0.6 miles from the main marker and only 0.6 miles from the Confederate Storehouse. The Pioneer Massey Cemetery, Center Point and The Clay Community Alabama are approximately 4.6 miles, 4.9 miles and 5.4 miles respectively, from the main marker. All these marker are located on the outer boundaries of the cahaba project and one can easily be directed in case s/he is on tour or wants for find some location within the area.
Initially planned to be a farming scheme by the WPA, the Cahaba Project was slowed down by the government when it was realised that the land that was formerly occupied by the former Trussville Iron Furnace was not suitable for the construction of conventional government houses. However, with local intervention and restructuring of the suburban town, which was more or less of a garden type, the project was rescued and plans and policies to establish it began. Today, Cahaba Project is the core of a rapid growing community and the heart of America at large. Its major shopping mall is located in the center of this chronological district was planned to look like the shopping mall in Washington, D.C. The commissary, which is now the chamber of commerce, and the school are anchoring the boarder in the eastern region. The district is a home for numerous families as indicated by the number of residential units, which total to 287 residential units. These units consist of single, duplexes and triplexes family houses. Before the 1940s, these houses were rented to families, as this was the original plan. However, in the early 1940s, the system was changed and these houses were randered for sale thus they were sold to individuals and their families.
The area had enough private and public facilities such as schools, indoor bathroom facilities, sewer as well as paved streets that are constructed with gutters and curbs. Even though at first only a few families had vehicles, and most of them relied on public means of transport, several car parks and sidewalks for pedestrians were constucted as well. This therefore ensured maximum security and protection for the residents. This was the original planned development unit in Trussville during the economic development period and this address is still desired to date. All residential units had large enough spaces that could be used as cowsheds or poultry houses. Small gardens are also demarcated for those who love flower gardens. As already mentioned, this project was proposed during the great economic depression period when the government was looking for a strategy that would see its economy on its way to recovery. The Trussville city has obtained a historical recognition for the establishment and maintainance of the Cahaba Homestead Village in the historical district from the Historical Preservation Commission of Alabama. The district has also been enlisted on the country wide historical register.