Housing Geography

Historically there has been recognised a direct relationship between substandard accommodation and poor health. The Industrial Revolution in Britain resulted in low standard working class housing being built quickly to meet this increase in demand for workers. Over crowded dwellings inadequate sanitation and a proclivity to dispose of all forms of waste in cesspools rivers and the street resulted in severe epidemics of many illnesses predominantly those which are water borne. Many of the most significant improvements in health have resulted from progression in public health reform most notably clean water, sanitation and reduced exposure to extreme cold associated with improved accommodation. However the second half of the twentieth century has seen a decline in political interest in the issue of poor housing despite overwhelming evidence of the health consequences of poor housing and increasing economic disparity among different social groups. While there has been a dramatic improvement in general health in industrial countries over the last century some sections of society still live in poverty stricken conditions with indications that the divergence between rich and poor is increasing. This book contains the fundamental and basic information in housing geography and the selection of contents makes it an appropriate book for the students.