the geography of inter-war (1919-39) residential areas on Tyneside: a study of residential growth, and the present condition and use of property

Abstract

The work is divided into two sections. Section I examines the process of residential growth on Tyneside in the inter-war years by concentrating attention on the factors which determined the form and extent of development in both the private and the public sector. Through detailed case studies and generalised analysis, an examination is made of housing need over the period, and the influence of architectural and planning ideals and economic conditions; in this way information is provided on the characteristics of inter-war dwellings, the conditions under which they were constructed and the processes by which they were developed. Section II makes an examination of the present condition and use of inter-war Council property, and attempts to determine its suitability for habitation in the latter half of the 20th Century, In so doing, it considers(1) the maintenance operations of Local Authorities and the levels of expenditure over the life of the property.(2) the standard of accommodation which the property provides. No attempt is made to examine the suitability of the residential environment, but attention is focussed upon the use of property and, basing evidence on housewives' judgement, the standard of amenity which it provides. Further studies of household maintenance operations and satisfaction levels reveal additional details of the social adequacy of the accommodation and the work concludes with an examination of(1) the scope for modernisation(2) the modernisation schemes of Local Authorities(3) the cost of modernisation to the Authority.