COST ACTION European Middle-Class Mass Housing

After the Second World War, most European cities experienced a demographic boom. As a result, new neighbourhoods in the suburbs of historic centres began to stand out for their modern environment, new facilities, and abundant green areas. These neighbourhoods consisted essentially of housing and were aimed at the new middle classes. The phenomenon, however, was not the same in all European countries, and the policies resulting from the then “Cold War” were to have great repercussions. A network of researchers working in Europe on issues related to mass housing for the middle classes presents three books that focus on the aspects of historical documentation, the lexicon applied to housing, and public policies. A fourth volume has a special focus, as it is intended to introduce the topic of how to inhabit these neighbourhoods built from 1950 onwards among children. Through direct discourse, the aim is to include European communities in the debate on housing by recognising the impact that these neighbourhoods, often disliked by the population and politicians, have had on more recent urban imagery.

In addition to the presentations to be made by the project coordinators, Ana Vaz Milheiro (ISCTE-IUL) and Gaia Caramellino (Politecnico di Milano), the book’s editors will also be present, in person or online.

This presentation is part of the parallel program of the exhibition Living in Lisbon.