My new book; the RIBA Books press release is immodestly reproduced below (with a discount code for early purchasers) …
The need for building more social housing is growing, but how much do we really know about its history and origins?
From the popular author of the critically acclaimed book Municipal Dreams comes the highly anticipated A History of Council Housing in 100 Estates – a thought-provoking insight into the remarkable history of social housing in the UK.
Featuring examples from all around the UK, John Boughton provides a thorough and complete history of social housing. Beginning from early charitable provision to ‘Homes for Heroes’, garden villages to new towns, multi-storey tower blocks and modernist developments to contemporary sustainable housing.
From the almshouses of the 16th century to Goldsmith Street, the 2019 winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize, Boughton invites readers to explore the rich and varied history of social housing. He highlights the central principle running through all the evolving dynamics of politics and design, that personal and communal well-being require good housing for all.
Boughton comments: “The contemporary housing crisis and a small uptick in council housebuilding in recent years, often with a commitment to high-quality and sustainable design, may yet mark a new chapter in the longer story.
“For me, this is a moment to both celebrate the achievements of the past and better understand its missteps. Thus armed, we might build better, just as we need to build more, in the future.”
The book is beautifully illustrated with over 250 images including photographs and sketches that make the history of social housing come to life. It’s a truly engaging read that is sure to appeal to architects, students, history enthusiasts and general interest readers.
A History of Council Housing in 100 Estates is available exclusively from RIBA Books from 13th October and will be widely available on the 1st November. It can be pre-ordered here from RIBA Books with a 15 percent discount using the code COUNCILHOUSES15.
About the Author
John Boughton is the author of Municipal Dreams: the Rise and Fall of Council Housing and the blog Municipal Dreams, a record of local government reform and council estates across Great Britain. The book has been an Amazon best seller in its category and was selected by Rowan Moore as an Observer Book of the Year. The blog has had over 1.5 million views and 970,000 visitors.
Municipal Dreams 
I ASKED BEFORE BUT NEVER RECEIVED AN ANSWER ; HAVE YOU EVER DONE AN ARTICLE ETC ON THE LCC’S UPPER HILLDROP ESTATE WHERE I WAS BORN ? I HAVE MANY HAPPY MEMORYS OF COLLEY HOUSE THERE. PLEASE RESPOND . THANK YOU. STEVEN KNOWLES
Sorry for missing your earlier query. No, I’m afraid I haven’t written about the Upper Hilldrop Estate but I’ll look into it. John
I have ordered my copy from The Five Leaves Bookshop in Nottingham, where I live. Just knowing it has bee penned by you, John, is enough. Regards Robert Howard 🐰
Many thanks, Robert. I hope you enjoy the book – it has a bit of Nottingham in it. I have fond memories of Five Leaves – it’s a great bookshop, fully deserving of support. All the best, John
Well done John! Excellent news… Any plans for a launch anywhere??? best Mark >
Many thanks, Mark. There’s no formal (or informal) launch to my knowledge – you’d be invited if there was – but the publicity team is busy. I’ve been meaning to write to you in any case and will email properly soon. John
Hello John,
Hope things are good with you. Hilary and I were wondering if the book is now out.
Cheers
Best wishes, Gerry
[cid:image001.jpg@01D8EF7B.BC074AC0] [rule.png] Professor Gerry Mooney | Professor of Scottish Society & Social Welfare School of Social Sciences & Global Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The Open University in Scotland, 10 Drumsheugh Gdns, Edinburgh, EH3 7QJ +44 (0)131 549 7163 | Gerry.Mooney@open.ac.ukGerry.Mooney@open.ac.uk | http://www.open.ac.uk/people/gcm8http://www.open.ac.uk/people/gcm8 [cid:image003.jpg@01D8EF7B.BC074AC0] FASS: [cid:image004.png@01D8EF7B.BC074AC0] https://twitter.com/OU_FASS/ [cid:image005.png@01D8EF7B.BC074AC0] https://www.facebook.com/theopenuniversity.OUFASSstudents SCOTLAND: [cid:image006.png@01D8EF7B.BC074AC0] https://twitter.com/OUScotland [cid:image007.jpg@01D8EF7B.BC074AC0] https://www.facebook.com/OpenUniversityinScotland
Hi Gerry (and Hilary) – Yes, the book is out, officially published on 1st November. As a full-colour, hardback it’s not cheap unfortunately so let me know if you need any help getting hold of a copy. John
Hello John. A follow-up. I collected my pre-ordered copy from Five Leaves Bookshop in Nottingham today. Much still to look at, let alone read. A handsome book and pleased to see the inclusion of two Nottingham estates I know well. I live on a ‘banjo’ cul-de-sac on the Beeston Fields estate off the Wollaton Road, comprising of 8 council houses built in the late-1920s, similar in arts and crafts style to those on the nearby Wollaton Park Estate, featured in ‘A History of Council Housing in 100 Estates’. Thank you for all you do and I urge all your readers to invest in copy of your inspirational book. Regards Robert Howard 🐰
Many thanks for your kind words, Robert. I hope you continue to enjoy the book. Best wishes, John
Received the book as a gift last week and really enjoying it! But one thing that has been bugging me is – where is the estate that features on the front cover?! We’ve tried to research it but haven’t come up with an answer!
That’s great – I’m glad you’re enjoying it. It’s Durford Crescent on the Alton East estate. Here to be precise …
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.4457691,-0.2385599,3a,75y,50.47h,94.71t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBQYjTeYSheV1qttmyfWHqA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
It’s a colourised version of this 1970 pic …
https://www.ribapix.com/Alton-East-Estate-Roehampton-London-view-of-the-staggered-terrace-of-houses-with-twelve-storey-point-blocks-in-the-background_RIBA34554
John