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This year, I began research into the decline and regeneration of Hackney's post-war housing estates.
The research is on a hiatus due to COVID-19, but as lockdown eases I will be resuming research this year.
Here's some photos of the decline and rebirth of Hackney's estates.
The research is on a hiatus due to COVID-19, but as lockdown eases I will be resuming research this year.
Here's some photos of the decline and rebirth of Hackney's estates.
Trowbridge Estate: The first post-war estate in Hackney to go through regeneration. All blocks were demolished between 1985-1996 following extremely poor structural and hygiene conditions and were replaced by low-rise housing.
The blocks lasted 20 years
The blocks lasted 20 years
Kingshold Estate: Another poorly designed post-war estate in Hackney. Suffered from vandalism, infestation, and disrepair. The estate was completely rundown by the 1990s and was rebuilt by 2003.
Great documentary from the 1990s on Kingshold below:
Great documentary from the 1990s on Kingshold below:
Clapton Park Estate: Built during the 1960s, the tower blocks were crumbling by 1990 and the estate in general suffered from socio-economic deprivation. Four of the blocks were demolished by 1998. One block remains, now in private ownership.
Nightingale Estate: Another post-war estate in Clapton. Six tower blocks surrounded by maisonettes. These tower blocks also fell into disrepair, and significant levels of anti-social behaviour.
Five blocks were blown up by 2003 and estate regenerated.
Five blocks were blown up by 2003 and estate regenerated.
Holly Street Estate: The infamous regeneration project in Hackney. Went through extensive regeneration following degradation of the estate by the 1990s, with 80% of residents wanting to leave the estate.
There are several other estates being regenerated across Hackney, including Woodberry Down, Frampton Park, Colville, Haggerston, Pembury, all of which have suffered similar issues to the estates mentioned previously
I have written twice on this area:
https://ricyeboah.com/2019/03/21/the-demise-of-east-londons-estates-how-brutalism-failed-a-generation/
and https://ricyeboah.com/2014/12/04/the-regeneration-of-hackney-the-saviour-of-a-borough-in-despair/
https://ricyeboah.com/2019/03/21/the-demise-of-east-londons-estates-how-brutalism-failed-a-generation/
and https://ricyeboah.com/2014/12/04/the-regeneration-of-hackney-the-saviour-of-a-borough-in-despair/
I'll be continuing this research in August so please do get in contact with me if you want to be involved in the project or learn more about the research.
The aim is to explore and analyse the impact of housing transformation in the borough and its impact on residents.
The aim is to explore and analyse the impact of housing transformation in the borough and its impact on residents.
It would be great if @hackneycouncil @ArchivesHackney @HackneySociety @PhilipGlanville @mayorofhackney could share more widely!
In addition, if you ever lived on (or near) a post-war housing estate in Hackney please do fill out this survey https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehmxzKVpIckezJ3CInZQYcDEYnUNSZqR9RXX1pRf1T1EZjYQ/viewform or get in touch via DM. Thank you
I can’t wait to share so many of your stories
I can’t wait to share so many of your stories
Just to confirm. I am from Hackney, born and bred. I know everything about being from Hackney and our community. I have seen it both pre and post gentrification. I have spent 28 years of life in the borough.
