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Foundations: How the Built Environment Made Twentieth-Century Britain
An urban history of modern Britain, and how the built environment shaped the nation’s politics
Foundations is a history of twentieth-century Britain told through the rise, fall, and reinvention of six different types of urban the industrial estate, shopping precinct, council estate, private flats, shopping mall, and suburban office park. Sam Wetherell shows how these spaces transformed Britain’s politics, economy, and society, helping forge a midcentury developmental state and shaping the rise of neoliberalism after 1980.
From the mid-twentieth century, spectacular new types of urban space were created in order to help remake Britain’s economy and society. Government-financed industrial estates laid down infrastructure to entice footloose capitalists to move to depressed regions of the country. Shopping precincts allowed politicians to plan precisely for postwar consumer demand. Public housing modernized domestic life and attempted to create new communities out of erstwhile strangers. In the latter part of the twentieth century many of these spaces were privatized and reimagined as their developmental aims were abandoned. Industrial estates became suburban business parks. State-owned shopping precincts became private shopping malls. The council estate was securitized and enclosed. New types of urban space were imported from American suburbia, and planners and politicians became increasingly skeptical that the built environment could remake society. 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.
Taking readers to almost every major British city as well as to places in the United States and Britain’s empire, Foundations highlights how some of the major transformations of twentieth-century British history were forged in the everyday spaces where people lived, worked, and shopped.
Foundations is a history of twentieth-century Britain told through the rise, fall, and reinvention of six different types of urban the industrial estate, shopping precinct, council estate, private flats, shopping mall, and suburban office park. Sam Wetherell shows how these spaces transformed Britain’s politics, economy, and society, helping forge a midcentury developmental state and shaping the rise of neoliberalism after 1980.
From the mid-twentieth century, spectacular new types of urban space were created in order to help remake Britain’s economy and society. Government-financed industrial estates laid down infrastructure to entice footloose capitalists to move to depressed regions of the country. Shopping precincts allowed politicians to plan precisely for postwar consumer demand. Public housing modernized domestic life and attempted to create new communities out of erstwhile strangers. In the latter part of the twentieth century many of these spaces were privatized and reimagined as their developmental aims were abandoned. Industrial estates became suburban business parks. State-owned shopping precincts became private shopping malls. The council estate was securitized and enclosed. New types of urban space were imported from American suburbia, and planners and politicians became increasingly skeptical that the built environment could remake society. 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.
Taking readers to almost every major British city as well as to places in the United States and Britain’s empire, Foundations highlights how some of the major transformations of twentieth-century British history were forged in the everyday spaces where people lived, worked, and shopped.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
272 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2023
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68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 12, 2023
I thought this was very good as a short history of each of the 6 things he looks at (industrial estate, shopping precinct, council estate, private housing estates, shopping malls, science/business parks) - if obviously not comprehensive, at least bringing up a lot of really interesting stuff, hence the 4 stars. I was pretty consistently fascinated!
At the same time I'm not sure that he does a good job making new points. The connecting point of securitisation and spaces being privatised is clearly explained but otherwise I was often unsure about what he was saying. Then there's stuff I disagree with, like accepting the propaganda of the "free market" that a consumerist shopper is a free subject with unconstrained desires, opposing it to the planned shopper looking for a certain basket of goods that was the subject of postwar planning. Idk I think it's a great book for the history but some of the more "critical theory" stuff didn't feel well argued
At the same time I'm not sure that he does a good job making new points. The connecting point of securitisation and spaces being privatised is clearly explained but otherwise I was often unsure about what he was saying. Then there's stuff I disagree with, like accepting the propaganda of the "free market" that a consumerist shopper is a free subject with unconstrained desires, opposing it to the planned shopper looking for a certain basket of goods that was the subject of postwar planning. Idk I think it's a great book for the history but some of the more "critical theory" stuff didn't feel well argued
January 30, 2024
Darian G. Burns
History 500-970 - Historiography
October 9, 2023
Sam Wetherell's book, Foundations: How the Built Environment Made Twentieth-Century Britain, analyzes the environment between spatial forms of the built environment and political forms of the twentieth century. The foundational premise of Wetherell's argument is that the neoliberal political formation in Britain is characterized by an uncomfortable interplay between old and new. He argues that the spatial forms of the built environment, such as privatization, deregulation, and privatization of public goods, are often driven by political objectives such as reducing public spending and creating a more market-driven economy. However, these spatial forms also create new problems and challenges for society that still need to be resolved. In his description of the built environment, he describes it as a giant museum that exhibits the rusting and shabby remnants of earlier capital accumulation methods and outdated societal visions. For example, Wetherell notes that many of London's most famous landmarks, such as the Palace of Westminster, were built during the Victorian era and remain standing, yet have become symbols of neoliberal governance.
Wetherell contends that neoliberalism is a type of market fundamentalism imposed over the ruins of development projects from the mid-twentieth century. He argues that these development projects were intended to create an environment of economic growth and social progress, but instead, they resulted in an environment of inequality and exploitation. The neoliberal policies implemented following this period have further perpetuated these issues, leading to the current social and economic conditions. Using this context, Wetherell proposes a more nuanced understanding of British neoliberalism as reflected in Britain's landscape. For instance, Wetherell documents how the construction of a new motorway destroyed many homes and businesses, displacing people and leading to increased homelessness in the area. Beyond that, he emphasizes how these new spaces facilitated a global exchange of information between Britain and the world. To accomplish this goal, finance, spatial forms, and these places' designers, builders, and inhabitants were involved. A new motorway displaced people and created new spaces for global exchange that were previously inaccessible. This event involved the movement of people, ideas, and goods between Britain and the world. Finance, spatial forms, and the people involved were all integral to the success of this project.
Wetherell presents his argument by examining six building types: industrial estates, shopping precincts, council estates, private housing estates, shopping malls, and business parks. He argues that each building type has its distinct character and purpose, and all affect how the local community interacts with it. He also believes how these buildings are designed and managed can positively or negatively affect the local community.
Wetherell shows how buildings and spaces have changed. He argues that buildings can be designed and managed to provide a range of benefits to the local community, such as improved energy efficiency, increased access to resources, and improved quality of life. On the other hand, he also shows that buildings can be designed and managed in ways that can negatively impact the local community, such as increased pollution, increased traffic congestion, and displacement of residents and businesses. For instance, he cites the urban sprawl of cities, which often leads to the destruction of natural habitats and increased levels of air pollution. Consequently, how they have been remodeled to suit political agendas and how they have changed. The postwar project to build council housing resulted in a third of British people living in managed properties by 1980. They were sold off under the 1980 Housing Act, which caused an environment of decreased affordable housing, leading to increased homelessness. More than that, the demolition of council housing resulted in a loss of communities, with many families being separated and forced to leave their hometowns. Right-to-buy was more successful in the southeast, particularly in houses rather than high-rise apartments. Over 100,000 properties were sold for each of the first three full financial years following the act's passing. In this instance, the British government made a political decision to shift away from council housing and towards private home ownership. This resulted in a more inequitable distribution of wealth and resources due to reduced government responsibility.
Due to the shift away from government-provided housing, citizens have faced new challenges, such as a lack of access to affordable housing, increased competition for parking spaces, and feelings of alienation. Similarly, industrial estates transitioned from piecemeal interwar investment to postwar expansion to neoliberalism in the late twentieth century. Thus, neoliberalism has further exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, creating a more inequitable distribution of wealth and resources.
Foundation is an excellent book. It is well-structured and easy to read. Wetherell's writing is clear and engaging. There is much research, and carefully crafted arguments are made and supported by the research. Foundations is comprehensive, providing a thorough overview of Britain's built environments. Wetherell has used reliable sources to back up his claims and written concisely and logically. As well as contributing to our understanding of Britain's built environment and urban history, it also provides insights into how Britain interacted with the world and how neoliberalism developed and performed during the twentieth century. Overall, Wetherell's book offers a comprehensive and informed look at Britain's built environment and urban history.
History 500-970 - Historiography
October 9, 2023
Sam Wetherell's book, Foundations: How the Built Environment Made Twentieth-Century Britain, analyzes the environment between spatial forms of the built environment and political forms of the twentieth century. The foundational premise of Wetherell's argument is that the neoliberal political formation in Britain is characterized by an uncomfortable interplay between old and new. He argues that the spatial forms of the built environment, such as privatization, deregulation, and privatization of public goods, are often driven by political objectives such as reducing public spending and creating a more market-driven economy. However, these spatial forms also create new problems and challenges for society that still need to be resolved. In his description of the built environment, he describes it as a giant museum that exhibits the rusting and shabby remnants of earlier capital accumulation methods and outdated societal visions. For example, Wetherell notes that many of London's most famous landmarks, such as the Palace of Westminster, were built during the Victorian era and remain standing, yet have become symbols of neoliberal governance.
Wetherell contends that neoliberalism is a type of market fundamentalism imposed over the ruins of development projects from the mid-twentieth century. He argues that these development projects were intended to create an environment of economic growth and social progress, but instead, they resulted in an environment of inequality and exploitation. The neoliberal policies implemented following this period have further perpetuated these issues, leading to the current social and economic conditions. Using this context, Wetherell proposes a more nuanced understanding of British neoliberalism as reflected in Britain's landscape. For instance, Wetherell documents how the construction of a new motorway destroyed many homes and businesses, displacing people and leading to increased homelessness in the area. Beyond that, he emphasizes how these new spaces facilitated a global exchange of information between Britain and the world. To accomplish this goal, finance, spatial forms, and these places' designers, builders, and inhabitants were involved. A new motorway displaced people and created new spaces for global exchange that were previously inaccessible. This event involved the movement of people, ideas, and goods between Britain and the world. Finance, spatial forms, and the people involved were all integral to the success of this project.
Wetherell presents his argument by examining six building types: industrial estates, shopping precincts, council estates, private housing estates, shopping malls, and business parks. He argues that each building type has its distinct character and purpose, and all affect how the local community interacts with it. He also believes how these buildings are designed and managed can positively or negatively affect the local community.
Wetherell shows how buildings and spaces have changed. He argues that buildings can be designed and managed to provide a range of benefits to the local community, such as improved energy efficiency, increased access to resources, and improved quality of life. On the other hand, he also shows that buildings can be designed and managed in ways that can negatively impact the local community, such as increased pollution, increased traffic congestion, and displacement of residents and businesses. For instance, he cites the urban sprawl of cities, which often leads to the destruction of natural habitats and increased levels of air pollution. Consequently, how they have been remodeled to suit political agendas and how they have changed. The postwar project to build council housing resulted in a third of British people living in managed properties by 1980. They were sold off under the 1980 Housing Act, which caused an environment of decreased affordable housing, leading to increased homelessness. More than that, the demolition of council housing resulted in a loss of communities, with many families being separated and forced to leave their hometowns. Right-to-buy was more successful in the southeast, particularly in houses rather than high-rise apartments. Over 100,000 properties were sold for each of the first three full financial years following the act's passing. In this instance, the British government made a political decision to shift away from council housing and towards private home ownership. This resulted in a more inequitable distribution of wealth and resources due to reduced government responsibility.
Due to the shift away from government-provided housing, citizens have faced new challenges, such as a lack of access to affordable housing, increased competition for parking spaces, and feelings of alienation. Similarly, industrial estates transitioned from piecemeal interwar investment to postwar expansion to neoliberalism in the late twentieth century. Thus, neoliberalism has further exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, creating a more inequitable distribution of wealth and resources.
Foundation is an excellent book. It is well-structured and easy to read. Wetherell's writing is clear and engaging. There is much research, and carefully crafted arguments are made and supported by the research. Foundations is comprehensive, providing a thorough overview of Britain's built environments. Wetherell has used reliable sources to back up his claims and written concisely and logically. As well as contributing to our understanding of Britain's built environment and urban history, it also provides insights into how Britain interacted with the world and how neoliberalism developed and performed during the twentieth century. Overall, Wetherell's book offers a comprehensive and informed look at Britain's built environment and urban history.
January 9, 2021
An engagingly written account of the industrial, commercial and residential aspects of British cities during the twentieth century, and how the built environment reflects society’s prevailing values at the time.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews