Intraurban Squatting in London∗

Abstract

Intraurban squatting in Western, industrialized society differs significantly from Third World squatting. As a human adaptive mechanism for coping with intensified housing stress this variant type involves the occupation, renovation, and reutilization of existing inner urban buildings. It serves a practical function in urban ecology and conservation and it is increasingly accepted by housing authorities on its economic merits. Squatting in Britain emerged a decade ago, closely paralleling similar movements in other European countries. London, where the squatter population has grown to 30,000, has become the quintessential model. Squatting has become a viable, alternative form of tenure which fills a distinctive gap in London's increasingly exclusive housing structure. Squats may be typed according to their ownership, legal status, and mode of habitation. Large squatter communities often function democratically and have enduring, stable social organization. Some squatter communities are “authorized”and eventually become legal housing cooperatives with permanent tenure status.

Like a Good Neighbor, Squatters Are There: Property and Neighborhood Stability in the Context of Urban Decline

“…But when illegal activities are poorly regulated and gain legitimacy among a social group, scholars often define them as informal (Castells and Portes 1989). For example, squatters who are viewed as deserving housing provision by the state are considered justified, like homeless families with young children (Pruijt 2013;Kearns 1979). For example, squatters who are viewed as deserving housing provision by the state are considered justified, like homeless families with young children (Pruijt 2013;Kearns 1979).…”

“…One way this is achieved is when actors pursue illegal methods for legitimate ends (Webb et al 2009). For example, squatters who are viewed as deserving housing provision by the state are considered justified, like homeless families with young children (Pruijt 2013;Kearns 1979). Informal economic activities can gain legitimacy if they are in line with dominant narratives about personal work ethic and self-sufficiency (Edin and Shaefer 2015;Gowan 1997).…”

Land tenure, disasters and vulnerability

“…This factor is impor tant for squatters, where their rights are often directly linked to the support they receive from their communities. For example, in London in the 1970s, squatters enjoyed a high degree of public sympathy, and hence found their housing more secure (Kearns, 1979). In other cases, squatters are not respected by the public-for example, gypsies in some parts of Europe, including Hungary and Portugal.…”

Spaces of alternative culture in Prague in a time of politicaleconomic changes of the city

“…Due to their specific role in urban development, politics, and economics, the spaces and spatial practices of alternative cultures have received substantial attention from many researchers. Most of the studies of alternative cultures and their spaces have predominantly emerged in West European and North American countries, and tend to focus on their relation to gentrification, urban renewal and development (Clay 1979;Smith 1996;Zukin 1982Zukin , 1998Zukin , 2010Florida 2002;Ley 1996Ley , 2003Cameron, Coaffee 2005), their relation to housing (Kearns 1979, Basu 1988, night-time economy (Chatterton, Hollands 2003), political resistance (Corr 1999;, as well as urban policies and the image of the city (Uitermark 2004;Pruijt 2004;Shaw 2006). The task of this paper is to investigate and evaluate spaces used by alternative cultures in the context of a city transforming from socialism to post-socialism.…”