Foundations: How the Built Environment Made Twentieth-Century Britain

The book Foundations: An Urban History of Modern Britain explores how the built environment shaped the politics, economy, and society of twentieth-century Britain, leading to the formation of a midcentury developmental state and the rise of neoliberalism after 1980. It shows how six different types of urban space - industrial estates, shopping precincts, council estates, private flats, shopping malls, and suburban office parks - transformed Britains politics, economy, and society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2020
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The built environment played a significant role in shaping the politics, economy, and society of modern Britain. In the 20th century, six different types of urban spaces emerged and underwent significant transformations: the industrial estate, shopping precinct, council estate, private flats, shopping mall, and suburban office park. These spaces not only impacted the physical landscape but also had a profound impact on Britains political, economic, and social landscape.

The industrial estate was one of the earliest forms of urban space to emerge in Britain. These were government-financed areas designed to attract businesses and provide employment opportunities to the local population. The estates were often located in industrial areas and provided a range of facilities, including factories, warehouses, and offices. The industrial estate played a crucial role in the development of Britain's manufacturing sector and helped to create a strong industrial base.

Shopping precincts were another important type of urban space that emerged in the post-war period. These were designed to meet the growing demand for consumer goods and services. Shopping precincts were often located in city centers and provided a range of retail outlets, including department stores, supermarkets, and restaurants. The shopping precincts allowed politicians to plan precisely for postwar consumer demand and helped to create a thriving retail sector.

Council estates were another form of public housing that emerged in the post-war period. These were designed to provide affordable housing to the working class and were often located in urban areas. The estates were often characterized by high-rise buildings and were designed to create new communities out of erstwhile strangers. The council estate played a crucial role in modernizing domestic life and attempting to create new communities.

Private flats were another form of urban space that emerged in the post-war period. These were designed to provide affordable housing to the middle class and were often located in suburban areas. The flats were often characterized by their modern design and were designed to provide a comfortable living environment. The private flat played a crucial role in the development of the middle class and helped to create a new consumer culture.

Shopping malls were another form of urban space that emerged in the late 20th century. These were large-scale retail complexes that were designed to attract consumers from a wide area. Shopping malls were often located in suburban areas and provided a range of retail outlets, including department stores, supermarkets, and restaurants. The shopping malls allowed politicians to plan precisely for postwar consumer demand and helped to create a thriving retail sector.

Suburban office parks were another form of urban space that emerged in the late 20th century. These were large-scale office complexes that were designed to attract businesses and provide employment opportunities to the local population. Suburban office parks were often located in suburban areas and provided a range of facilities, including offices, conference centers, and parking. The suburban office park played a crucial role in the development of the business sector and helped to create a new economic landscape.

The built environment had a significant impact on Britains politics, economy, and society. The industrial estate helped to create a strong industrial base, while shopping precincts allowed politicians to plan precisely for postwar consumer demand. Council estates modernized domestic life and attempted to create new communities, while private flats helped to create a new consumer culture. Shopping malls and suburban office parks helped to create a thriving retail and business sector.

However, with the midcentury built environment becoming obsolete, British neoliberalism emerged in tense negotiation with the awkward remains of built spaces that had to be navigated and remade. Neoliberalism was a political and economic ideology that emphasized the importance of free markets and individual freedom. Neoliberal policies aimed to reduce government intervention in the economy and promote private enterprise.

In the context of Britain, neoliberalism was often seen as a response to the decline of the manufacturing sector and the rise of service-based industries. Neoliberal policies aimed to promote competition and innovation, and to reduce the role of the state in the economy. However, neoliberal policies also had a significant impact on the built environment.

Neoliberal policies aimed to privatize public assets and to promote private investment. This led to the privatization of many of the previously government-owned industrial estates, shopping precincts, and council estates. Private investors were often interested in redeveloping these spaces in order to create new commercial and residential properties.

Neoliberal policies also aimed to promote urban regeneration and redevelopment. This led to the importation of new types of urban space from American suburbia. These spaces were often characterized by their low-density development, their car-oriented design, and their emphasis on private ownership. Neoliberal policies also aimed to promote the growth of the service sector and to reduce the role of manufacturing in the economy.

However, neoliberal policies also had a significant impact on the built environment. Neoliberal policies often prioritized the growth of the business sector over the needs of the local community. This led to the displacement of many workers from the manufacturing sector and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a small elite. Neoliberal policies also led to the privatization of public services, such as healthcare and education, which had a significant impact on the quality of life for many people.

Neoliberal policies also had a significant impact on the physical landscape of Britain. Neoliberal policies often prioritized the growth of the business sector over the needs of the local community. This led to the concentration of commercial and residential properties in urban areas, which often resulted in the displacement of many workers from the manufacturing sector and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a small elite. Neoliberal policies also led to the privatization of public services, such as healthcare and education, which had a significant impact on the quality of life for many people.

In conclusion, the built environment played a significant role in shaping the politics, economy, and society of modern Britain. In the 20th century, six different types of urban spaces emerged and underwent significant transformations. These spaces not only impacted the physical landscape but also had a profound impact on Britains political, economic, and social landscape.

Neoliberalism emerged in tense negotiation with the awkward remains of built spaces that had to be navigated and remade. Neoliberal policies aimed to promote competition and innovation, and to reduce the role of the state in the economy. However, neoliberal policies also had a significant impact on the built environment. Neoliberal policies often prioritized the growth of the business sector over the needs of the local community, which led to the displacement of many workers from the manufacturing sector and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a small elite. Neoliberal policies also led to the privatization of public services, such as healthcare and education, which had a significant impact on the quality of life for many people.

Weight: 568g
Dimension: 164 x 239 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691193755