Housing Aesthetics Debate: Rayner's Targets vs. Morris's Beauty
UK housing policy sparks debate on aesthetics vs. utility. Labour's Rayner pushes national targets, while critics advocate for beauty in design. Houellebecq's new novel adds cultural commentary.
In recent years, a debate has emerged regarding the aesthetic quality of new housing developments in the United Kingdom. This discussion was initially sparked by Charles Moore, a columnist who questioned whether opposition to housing projects would decrease if the resulting structures were visually appealing.
The think tank Policy Exchange has addressed this issue in a recent paper, featuring an introduction by former Labour MP Jon Cruddas. This publication comes at a crucial time, as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner plans to implement national housing targets for local councils, potentially overriding local objections to new developments.
Notably, the National Planning Policy Framework has removed references to "beauty" and "beautiful" from its requirements for new developments. Rayner has stated that the concept of beauty is "too subjective" to be useful in planning.
Critics argue that while planners may not have prioritized aesthetics in the past, incorporating beauty into design should be encouraged. Some suggest replicating Edwardian mansion blocks as a solution for high-density urban housing, noting their visual appeal and efficient use of space.
Cruddas approaches the issue from a socialist perspective, critiquing the 1960s building boom under Harold Wilson. He argues that this era was characterized by a utilitarian approach that prioritized quantity over quality, often at the expense of working-class neighborhoods.
"An intransigent utilitarian orthodoxy which saw the mechanistic provision of as many housing units as possible as the sole responsibility of the state. Many deprived, working-class, post-industrial neighbourhoods bore the brunt of this policy."
Instead of repeating past mistakes, Cruddas suggests that Labour should revisit the socialist tradition of William Morris and John Ruskin, who viewed beauty as essential to human dignity, particularly for the poor. This approach contrasts with Rayner's current stance, presenting a choice between two philosophical approaches within the Labour party.
The debate extends beyond politics into the cultural sphere. French author Michel Houellebecq's upcoming novel "Annihilation" is set to be released in September 2024. Known for his controversial and prophetic works, Houellebecq's latest book touches on themes of political violence and societal collapse, reflecting contemporary issues and archetypes.
As the UK grapples with housing policy and urban development, the tension between utility and aesthetics remains at the forefront of public discourse. The outcome of this debate may shape the future of British housing and urban landscapes for generations to come.
