Affordable Housing in the 1910s–1930s: New Narratives on Unbeaten Tracks?

The discussion is framed around the question: “How can the affordable housing experiments of the 1910s–1930s be reread today?” It explores the architectural, urban and cultural relevance of early twentieth-century housing projects and their significance nearly a century later.

The seminar presents the Planning Perspectives special issue Affordable Housing in the 1910s–1930s: New Narratives on Unbeaten Tracks (2025) and brings together its authors and invited discussants. The issue highlights case studies that have seldom travelled across borders or been considered in a comparative international perspective. Its geographical scope spans key urban centers, including Gothenburg, Helsinki, Leningrad and Trondheim.

Through a critical lens, the seminar addresses themes such as urban form, green space, housing construction, architectural traditions and housing heritage. Discussions also consider questions of conservation, demolition and building protection, as well as the influence of both classical and vernacular references in residential design.

The seminar concludes with a discussion on the legacy of interwar housing and how its architectural, environmental and social values can inform current debates on density, refurbishment, urban liveability and the future of twentieth-century housing heritage. 

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