John Coyle wrote: > Gentrification and 'urban renewal' are something that I have > been working with other local people to try and control in my > suburb. Many fine old 'Queenslander' houses have been > knocked down and either modern rubbish or 'Tuscan' > monstrosities have taken their place. Worse than the loss of > character is the loss of affordable housing and diversity in > the suburb, which I moved to because of it's character. > In order to make the point, another photographer and I have > recorded over 300 images of places under threat or (now) > gone. Unfortunately, property prices here have increased by > 300% in the last ten years, so it's hard to convince people > not to realise their property's value.
I have been a member of our local historical society for some years and despite arguments about the destruction of fine properties, money has a priority and they still get demolished. Promises of affordable houses falls on deaf ears too; one fine row of 4-storey Edwardian townhouses went for an ugly 60 flat block which promised some affordable properties. Two years later when they went up, the cheapest flats selling for £224,995. That's meant to be affordable? Right! I've taken photos of it during construction and the block relies heavily on cheap materials. What a bargain :-( Malcolm
