Understanding the housing question that shaped a century.
This concise study examines how working-class living conditions evolved, from early shelters to modern approaches that aim to improve health, sanitation, and daily life.
This edition surveys the scope of urban housing, the social and legal forces at work, and practical strategies like model lodging houses, new forms of housing, and open spaces. It combines historical context with concrete examples and the author’s proposals for real, attainable change.
- Explains how urban housing developed over time and what created today’s slum conditions.
- Examines legislation, public health measures, and municipal actions that targeted the working class.
- Details designs and operations of lodging houses, cottages, and block-dwellings, with attention to safety and comfort.
- Discusses open spaces and future challenges in housing policy and city planning.
Ideal for readers of urban history, social reform, and public health who want a clear, practical view of housing in the industrial era and its ongoing implications.