Blackburn terraces – now you see them . . .
November 22nd, 2016
“Slum clearances without the Socialism” – Owen Hatherley
I was reading the Guardian online today. This to be specific. Building affordable homes for rent is more vital than new roads then in the comments I found this . . .
. . . and opened Google Earth. I found nothing in Burnley but then in Blackburn, this.
Google earth most recent image
Google earth image from 2000
It has to be Pathfinder. A quick Google confirms it. The project was a success, this shopkeeper confirms it.
April 22nd 2015
May 30th 2009
Blackburn shopkeeper talks of demolition nightmare
2005
2000
How did I find the old images? Historical Imagery.
Prof Anne Power says it is cheaper to refurbish houses than to demolish them but what does she know?
This is good too.
I’m afraid I disagree with this article. The essential problem with Britain is that where we have lots of houses (Wales, the North, parts of the Midlands) which are currently dilapidated/stood empty there are no jobs.These houses are or would be very affordable. But people need jobs in those areas. Where there are lots of jobs (South generally) there are no houses and in some areas fewer places to build houses. What we need to do therefore is to connect the jobs with the houses.
Previously we have done this by trying to shift Public sector jobs north in the hope that further private sector jobs would follow. The success has been mixed. In my view what we need to do is use high speed rail to connect it all and allow people to live in one place and work in another.
[…]
https://discussion.theguardian.com/comment-permalink/87992821
I disagree with the above comment about lots of high speed commuting. I’d prefer the Government functions were distributed around the nation, it would make for a more equitable society, the only three I can think of are HMRC Cumbernauld, Washington Tyne & Wear, and the DVLC in Swansea.
I fear otherwise both Liverpool and Newcastle West End riverside (T Dan Smith territory) will continue to have to deal with empty housing. Knocking two into one or three into one seems like a good start, especially for Muslim familes who like to live multi-generational lives.