Home Leaflet : Introducing the comprehensive estates initiative

Leaflet : Introducing the comprehensive estates initiative

Object

Leaflet

Production date

1992

Object number

1992.203

Physical Description

A2 sheet of heavy gloss paper folded once,printed full colour,published by Hackney council March 1992. Photograph of demolished tower block on front cover.

In 1948 the Metropololitan Borough of Hackney committed to building estates no more than three floors high. However, by the 1950s the long waiting lists for homes, the scarcity of avaliable building land and financial incentives from the government led to the borough following the trend towards 'high-rise' multi- storey towers.

At the time they were viewed as a symbol of modern living and progress. However, local authorities had little or no experience maintaining these properties, and they began to fall into disrepair.

Between 1985 and 2002 Hackney demolished 17 tower blocks - more than any other authority in Europe. These were often blown up in front of huge, festive crowds.

Credit line

All photographs David Hoffman www.hoffmanphotos.com

On display?

No

Inscription

All systems go!

Hackney Council's new redevelopment plans for five large estates have been given the go-ahead by the Government. The Comprehensive Estates Initiative (CEI) is a radical and imaginative new shceme to:

demolish dilapidated system-built blocks and replace them with warm, safe low-rise homes with gardens

refurbish and modernise housing where needed

The CEI was given a warm welcome by Sir George Young, Minister of Housing at a meeting on 13 February 1992 with Hackney Council Leader John McCarthy and Housing Chair