Trapped or on the Springboard? Housing Careers in Large Housing Estates in European Cities

Abstract

In the first three decades after the Second World War in Europe millions of dwellings were built, in most cases on large estates in or near cities. At that time, many people in various kinds of household found these estates attractive and were happy to live on them. But, in the last two decades, in many parts of Europe social, economic, and physical problems have emerged and the reputation of the estates has suffered a deep decline. That is not to say that they have lost their function in the housing market: some groups might still be drawn to them-low-income households who cannot find a decent, affordable place elsewhere, for example. In this article, we describe the current position of these estates in the housing careers of specific groups. Are there some groups who find them attractive places in which to live? Or do most people want to get away as soon as they can? Are some people "trapped"? We show that the situation differs substantially between parts of Europe, but even per estate and per household category. Our findings imply that intervention strategies with regard to these estates will have to become much more differentiated than they currently are.In all the countries of Europe, millions of dwellings were built in the three decades after the Second World War. In most cases, these dwellings were built on large estates in or near cities. At the time of construction, most of these estates were seen as attractive places to live in. Many of the new residents had been living with their parents or were moved out of slums that were being cleared. In most cases the new home was a major step forward. The new residents usually found the new neighborhood an improvement, too. While their former home was often in a part of the city with crowded narrow streets, the new housing estates were open, with plenty of green areas, designed after the ideas of Le Corbusier. Most households felt well satisfied with their new surroundings.Opinions have now changed, sometimes quite radically. Few post-WWII large housing estates are now regarded as desirable. They have been overtaken in popularity by new estates with better housing design and construction and more attractive environments. Those who could afford to

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