tower-block

views updated

tower-block. High-rise blocks of flats were widely adopted after the 1939–45 war as a result of Modernist propaganda in order to replace existing low-rise housing with what was perceived as something better. Failure to provide proper supervision of public spaces (entrance-halls, landings, stairs, lifts, etc.), led to their misuse, as well as isolation of flat dwellers. Other major problems included failure of prefabricated systems, community breakdown, and the loss of the traditional street, prompting a reaction (e.g. New Urbanism and the re-creation of low-rise housing in streets).

Bibliography

Glendinning & and S. Muthesius (1994)