Improved means of locomotion as a first step towards the cure of the housing difficulties of London : being an abstract of the proceedings of two conferences, convened by the warden of Robert Browning Hall, Walworth with a paper on the subject / by Charles Booth.

  • Booth, Charles.
Date:
1901
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Improved means of locomotion as a first step towards the cure of the housing difficulties of London : being an abstract of the proceedings of two conferences, convened by the warden of Robert Browning Hall, Walworth with a paper on the subject / by Charles Booth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    Advantage to be taken of this impulse. Acceptance of an extreme view of the evils of present con- ditions. The pressure on housing in London: its causes which are all the outcome of prosperity. sive in its nature; and thus even if the worst evils so caused no longer pressed, the outward movement would continue ; for it depends upon motives which are common to all classes, whatever may be the circum- stances of their lives, in the pursuit of happiness, comfort and health. The foregoing reflections introduce the question I wish to raise, namely: Whether this permanently useful and healthy force cannot be successfully taken advantage of for the solution of the housing difficulties now experienced in London. In stating my case I am ready to accept any view, however extreme, of the insuffi- ciency, badness and dearness of the accom- modation available for the people in many parts of London. It would be difficult to exaggerate the facts; and if I advocate improved means of communication as a cure for these evils, it is because I believe that any direct attack on them is likely to fail. The pressure on housing in London springs from three or four causes. The first two are the natural increase of population, coupled with influx from other places; a third is the need of space for buildings other than dwelling houses, and for the widening of railway lines or of streets; while the fourth follows the requirements of a higher standard of life and health, which forbids over-crowd- ing or the occupation of cellars as dwellings. It is to be noted that increase of popu- lation in urban centres, and the need of space for industrial or civic purposes are