Abstract
In London, in the context of a shortfall of homes that has achieved the status of “housing crisis”, the replacement of obsolete social housing stock, inherited from the post-war period of mass production, for housing that satisfies the demands of the private market and the need for more sustainable cities is one of the main issues for the 21st century. Robin Hood Gardens’ demolition will become a paradigm for the positions to be taken respecting urban obsolescence. Across London, one can see examples that show how, by the criteria of contemporary urban planning, the domestic and urban potential of much of the post-war social housing stock makes it difficult for the current owner, the local government, to invest in its refurbishment and to keep its status as social housing.

Keywords
Modern Movement, Modern architecture, Living heritage, Modern housing, Housing preservation, Robin Hood Gardens, London modern architecture, Alison and Peter Smithson.

Issue 51
Year 2014
Pages 16-21
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.52200/51.A.XXHURCAO