Named one of the Top 10 books about council housing - the Guardian online

Born of idealism, and once an icon of the Labour movement and pillar of the Welfare State, council housing is now nearing its end. But do its many failings outweigh its positive contributions to public health and wellbeing?
Alison Ravetz here provides the first comprehensive and apolitical history from which to arrive at a balanced judgement. Drawing on the widest possible evidence, from tenant and government records to the built environment itself, she tells the story of British council housing, from its seeds in Victorian reactions to 'the Poor', in philanthropy and model villages, Christian and other varieties of socialism. Her depiction of council housing in its mature years shows the often bizarre persistence of 'utopian' attitudes (whether in architectural design or management styles); its rise to a monopoly position in working-class family housing; the many compromises consequent on its state finance and local authority control; and the impact on working-class lives as an intellectuals' 'utopian dream' was converted into a social policy for the masses.

About the Author

Alison Ravetz is Professor Emeritus of Leeds Metropolitan University, and has written extensively for more than 25 years on the history of housing, cities and planning.

Reviews

'The arguments here are thought-provoking and the story is well-written. This should be worthwhile reading to anyone interested in the past or the future not only of council housing but also of housing associations.' - John Doling, Local Government Studies


'Its most stimulating aspect is the comprehensive approach to the subject and the avoidance of the simplistic explanations so frequently used when dealing with it. Alison Ravetz has not only researched widely, she has also tried to connect the various strands of this complicated and often depressing story. A book that should be compulsory reading for anyone concerned with reducing social inequalities.' - THES, 6 September, 2002

'This is a thoughtful and well-written account of a clearly focused subject that also stimulates a wider social question.' - Built Environment

'Ravetz approaches the topic with a mix of careful analysis and underlying compassion... Ravetz avoids the easy route and chooses instead to take the reader along a clearly signposted path which shows evidence of achievements as well as failings.' - Built Environment

'Lucid, compelling, and highly relevant to current concerns.' - Town and Country Planning

'The arguments here are thought-provoking and the story is well-written. This should be worthwhile reading to anyone interested in the past or the future not only of council housing but also of housing associations.' - John Doling, Local Government Studies

'Excellent comprehensive history, the latest addition to the praiseworthy series of books on planning, history and the environment edited by Professor A. Sutcliffe. This is a brave book, probably the first comprehensive history of the subject. The bibliography is impressive.' - Urban Design Quarterly, Summer 2002

'Its most stimulating aspect is the comprehensive approach to the subject and the avoidance of the simplistic explanations so frequently used when dealing with it. Alison Ravetz has not only researched widely, she has also tried to connect the various strands of this complicated and often depressing story. A book that should be compulsory reading for anyone concerned with reducing social inequalities.' - THES, 6 September, 2002

Book Information
ISBN 9780415239462
Author Alison Ravetz
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 476g