Academy Discourse - Spatial Justice, Housing and the Financial Crisis

Professor Danny Dorling

(Response by Mary Kelly)

Monday, 22 April 2013, 6pm, Academy House

RIASOC

In recent decades, across much of the affluent world, when there were economic good times some benefited much more than others. It may not have been fair but even though the gaps grew, few complained. When the bad times hit, they again hit some harder than others, usually much harder. People complained, but by then it was often too late. At the heart of the current financial crisis are issues of housing. Our fears over not being well-housed and our aspirations to move on up may have been milked by those most interested in making a short term profit; but when did those fears first grow and why were such impossible aspirations stoked? These are aspirations for so many to leap frog over so many others. Only 1% can ever be in the 1%. Using data, stories, and arguments drawn mainly from the UK and USA, but also from countries where many are better housed, this talk will suggest a few answers to what went so wrong and how our children’s generation need not repeat the folly of their parents. Professor Danny Dorling is professor of human geography in the University of Sheffield.

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