Scheming

Seán Damer’s book is a vital guide to the new estates – called ‘schemes’ in Scotland, hence the title – built between the wars and those built in the decade after 1945. It’s a deeply engaged social and political history, of interest not only to Glaswegians but to anyone seeking a critical understanding of council housing, its successes, failures and complexities... I recommend the book not only as rich and challenging account of council housing built at scale in one of our major cities but as a significant contribution towards our wider understanding of how to build badly and how to build well. * Municipal Dreams *
Seán Damer’s book is a vital guide to the new estates – called ‘schemes’ in Scotland, hence the title – built between the wars and those built in the decade after 1945. It’s a deeply engaged social and political history, of interest not only to Glaswegians but to anyone seeking a critical understanding of council housing, its successes, failures and complexities... I recommend the book not only as rich and challenging account of council housing built at scale in one of our major cities but as a significant contribution towards our wider understanding of how to build badly and how to build well. -- John Boughton * Municipal Dreams *
A considerable contribution to the literature on Scottish housing history. -- Aaron Colin Sheridan * Scottish Labour History *
Sean Damer’s exploration of 20th century council housing policy and practice is essential reading for all who seek to understand current social tensions in British cities. Meticulously researched and richly illustrated through the lived experience and testimony of Glasgow tenants, Damer provides a penetrating and convincing analysis of polarisation in contemporary British society. -- Richard Rodger, University of Edinburgh