Long Term Experiences of Tenants in Social Housing in East Kilbride: an Oral History Study

Abrams, L. and Fleming, L. (2011) Long Term Experiences of Tenants in Social Housing in East Kilbride: an Oral History Study. Project Report. School of Humanities, Glasgow.

Abstract

The aim of the project was to conduct an analysis of the extent to which the 'modern' homes of the new town of East Kilbride have met the promises of the original new town planners. It was their belief that high quality 'modern' housing in a planned environment would promote a sense of health and wellbeing amongst residents, improving their quality of life. By means of a series of in depth oral history interviews with long term residents this research probed people's subjective experiences of moving to the town, settling in and adapting, homemaking, leisure and community activities and their views on East Kilbride in 2011. The findings suggest high levels of aspiration amongst those who moved there and high levels of satisfaction with the quality of housing and the quality of life. East Kilbride offered space, new facilities and a sense of community. This was countered by the sense that today, growth of the town, the privileging of the private car and changes in home ownership and tenancy are altering the town's character so that the like-mindedness of earlier years is being replaced by individualism.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Project Report)
• Keywords: Housing, new town, East Kilbride, oral history
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Abrams, Professor Lynn and Fleming, Dr Linda
• Authors: Abrams, L., and Fleming, L.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Publisher: School of Humanities
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2011 The Authors
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the authors