intervention strategies for renovation of social housing estates

Theoretical background Chapter 2
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INTRODUCTION TO THIS CHAPTER
CHAPTER 2)
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
This chapter deals with the relevant knowledge supporting the subject of the research. In
five sections are described the historical background of deprived social housing estates in
Europe, briefly explained few theoretical models describing the process of change and decay
of neighbourhoods, given explanations of image as an underlying factor for decay and
outlines of renovation by means of life cycle extension.
An introduction to the historical background of post-war II social housing estates is
necessary to place the current task of renovation of those blocks into their actual context of
time. This section, together with the second one, introduces and partially explains major
problems affecting the case studies presented in the following chapters. In particular, these
problems will be further explored with respect to the Dutch case study.
The third section focuses on examples of international studies undertaken to explain change
and decay of neighbourhoods. It provides an overview on the debate about the following
issues: what factors contribute to neighbourhood deterioration? How and where does the
process start? In what way do the factors reinforce each others? Are there any factors more
relevant than others? The aim of this section is not to give answers to the problems but
frame physical building renovation within a broader context.
The fourth section focuses on image as underlying factor in explaining the decay of
neighbourhoods, therefore of housing estates. Its role is highlighted because it is often
pointed out by various authors and even depicted as one the keys for revising the process.
Image becomes more and more the compelling factor for renovation of deprived
neighbourhoods and estates in northern Europe. In this section will be explained why it has
been decided to focus this section on one factor, image.
Finally, the least but not last section, introduces the renovation approach at the base of this
research. It is not explained how to extend life cycle of a building, how to measure it and so
on. The purpose of this section is just to place envelope directed strategy into its theoretical
framework explaining what might be advantages and motivations for keeping the bearing
structure and change the remaining building elements.
Conclusions of all the three sections are provided at the end of this chapter.
2.1) HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SOCIAL HOUSING
ESTATES IN EUROPE
Most of the social housing neighborhoods in Europe have been realized after the Second
World War (van Beckhoven et al, 2005). After collapses in construction and damages caused
by the war conflict, economic migration, and rapid increase of the population, there was an
enormous shortage in the housing sector, characterized by a lack of sufficient and adequate
dwellings (Andeweg et al, 2007). The baby-boom in the 1950s is an additional factor that
increased the need of many European countries for improvement of dwelling conditions.
Consequently, many European countries initiated a reconstruction process and large housing
estateswere realized (van Beckhoven et al, 2005).
1. B