Author: Simon Elmer

Oy Vey! No Latkes for Labour

‘Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.’ – Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial 1. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance This is the document, … Continue reading Oy Vey! No Latkes for Labour

Calling All Architects: New Approaches to Old Housing

This article is based on separate video conference interviews conducted by Emily Schmidt in October 2017 with Geraldine Dening and Simon Elmer of Architects for Social Housing (ASH), architect Frédéric Druot, and Graeme Stewart and Ya’el Santopinto of ERA Architects and the Centre for Urban Growth and Renewal (CUG+R). Emily Schmidt and Rosalie Genevro, ‘Calling … Continue reading Calling All Architects: New Approaches to Old Housing

Memorial for Grenfell

Image after JAA Studio Private contractors and consultants on the Grenfell Tower refurbishment Mark Allen, Technical Director of Celotex, and member of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee Deborah French, UK Sales Manager, Arconic Ray Bailey, Managing Director, Harley Facades Bob Holt, Director and Executive Chairman of Lakehouse services Bob Greene, Technical Contract Manager, RGE Services … Continue reading Memorial for Grenfell

Southwark Sleeper: A New Housing Initiative for London’s Homeless (Or Not)

In exciting news for developers, Sadiq Khan has announced a new package of funding under his Homes for Londoners programme. In collaboration with Southwark council, ‘Southwark Sleeper’ will be test-piloted this winter as a solution to the growing army of London’s homeless. Peter John OBE, Leader of Southwark council and newly-elected Chair of London Councils, … Continue reading Southwark Sleeper: A New Housing Initiative for London’s Homeless (Or Not)

What Is To Be Done? Changing Metaphors of Change

1. Radical for Revolutionary During my misspent youth we spoke, however hopelessly – no doubt because hopelessly – of ‘revolution’; even, with an eye to dialectical materialism, of ‘The Revolution.’ I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now. But nowadays (except among my communist comrades) the standard appellation among socialists and activists … Continue reading What Is To Be Done? Changing Metaphors of Change

The Propaganda of Estate Regeneration: The Lincoln Estate, Poplar Harca and the British Broadcasting Corporation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=P06DmLD2dAA In April of this year the BBC re-televised its three-part series Dan Cruickshank: At Home with the British, which had originally been aired in May 2016, and was again in May 2017. Halfway through the final episode, ‘The Flat’, which focuses on the history of the Lincoln estate in London’s Bow, Dan Cruickshank jumps … Continue reading The Propaganda of Estate Regeneration: The Lincoln Estate, Poplar Harca and the British Broadcasting Corporation

Manufacturing Consent: GLA Capital Funding Guide: Section 8. Resident Ballots for Estate Regeneration Projects

This is ASH’s brief commentary on the Greater London Authority policy on Resident Ballots for Estate Regeneration Projects, the recently published addendum to the London Mayor’s Good Practice Guide to Estate Regeneration, and the outcome of the promise to ballot residents made by Jeremy Corbyn at the Labour Party conference back in September 2017. This … Continue reading Manufacturing Consent: GLA Capital Funding Guide: Section 8. Resident Ballots for Estate Regeneration Projects

Dresden Diary: Architecture, History and Politics

‘The city as a form of settlement did not arise by chance. The city is the richest economic and cultural form of community settlement, proven by centuries of experience. In its structural and architectural design the city is an expression of the political life and the national consciousness of the people.’  – Government of the … Continue reading Dresden Diary: Architecture, History and Politics

Figs from Thistles: Labour’s Grenfell Opportunism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL1nycH2x_w ‘Never again will we allow this to happen. But what has been so despicable about this, is that this has happened in the richest borough, in the fifth richest country in the world, where we have a government and a local council more interested in saving money than saving lives. If there is anything … Continue reading Figs from Thistles: Labour’s Grenfell Opportunism