Manchester University Press
3 Civic culture, voluntarism and council intervention
Abstract
This chapter looks at the terrible legacy of the Victorian period and the constant struggle by reformers to produce a more active municipal policy. It examines the practical difficulties facing the local authority and the determination by an active group within the council to impose their vision of a brave new world. Demands for housing reform increasingly permeated civic life. The voluntary sector was hugely influential in highlighting the city's housing problems and in promoting municipal planning and building as the solution to the slums. In making their recommendations, Manchester's housing reformers were convinced that flats were inadequate for most people and that the cottage-style houses were infinitely superior. In 1917, the council established the Housing Special Committee to develop policies for a post-war rebuilding programme. Shena Simon believed that Wythenshawe was the most important example of town planning and of a garden satellite town in the country.
Abstract
This chapter looks at the terrible legacy of the Victorian period and the constant struggle by reformers to produce a more active municipal policy. It examines the practical difficulties facing the local authority and the determination by an active group within the council to impose their vision of a brave new world. Demands for housing reform increasingly permeated civic life. The voluntary sector was hugely influential in highlighting the city's housing problems and in promoting municipal planning and building as the solution to the slums. In making their recommendations, Manchester's housing reformers were convinced that flats were inadequate for most people and that the cottage-style houses were infinitely superior. In 1917, the council established the Housing Special Committee to develop policies for a post-war rebuilding programme. Shena Simon believed that Wythenshawe was the most important example of town planning and of a garden satellite town in the country.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Preface vii
- Acknowledgements viii
- Introduction 1
- 1 Government, local authorities and housing, 1919–87 29
- 2 National interpretations 52
- 3 Civic culture, voluntarism and council intervention 85
- 4 Slum houses, slum dwellers and slum clearance 109
- 5 The post-war housing problem and the great overspill drive 132
- 6 New slums and the rising tide of tenant anger 157
- 7 New slums, New Left and new partnerships 180
- Conclusion 210
- Bibliography 216
- Index 227
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Preface vii
- Acknowledgements viii
- Introduction 1
- 1 Government, local authorities and housing, 1919–87 29
- 2 National interpretations 52
- 3 Civic culture, voluntarism and council intervention 85
- 4 Slum houses, slum dwellers and slum clearance 109
- 5 The post-war housing problem and the great overspill drive 132
- 6 New slums and the rising tide of tenant anger 157
- 7 New slums, New Left and new partnerships 180
- Conclusion 210
- Bibliography 216
- Index 227
