Slum and suburb in nineteenth-century Gorbals : a small-scale study of socio-residential change
During the nineteenth century the rapid growth of towns and the application of urban factory production may have coincided with important increases in the scale of social segregation. This study examines the development of the Gorbals district of Glasgow in that light. By the early and middle decades of the present century, Gorbals had become the archetypal slum. Yet, contrasts survived in architecture and historical records which pointed to a varied, small-scale social topography in the previous century. Change and growth in the nineteenth century social and residential structure were measured using city directory and census data on households, together with a mass of contemporary observation in local records, maps and pictures. The results point to a persistent middle class presence down to the closing decade of the century, especially in the district laid out about 1800 as a suburb. Nearby working-class housing was not the result of 'filtering' as much as lax planning at the original land transfer. As the century progressed more rather than less small-scale social mixing became evident, partly due to an early inner-city redevelopment scheme. However, new housing took on a mixed social and structural profile
Robb, John Grieve
History
Slum and suburb in nineteenth-century Gorbals : a small-scale study of socio-residential change. During the nineteenth century the rapid growth of towns and the application of urban factory production may have coincided with important increases in the scale of social segregation. This study examines the development of the Gorbals district of Glasgow in that light. By the early and middle decades of the present century, Gorbals had become the archetypal slum. Yet, contrasts survived in architecture and historical records which pointed to a varied, small-scale social topography in the previous century. Change and growth in the nineteenth century social and residential structure were measured using city directory and census data on households, together with a mass of contemporary observation in local records, maps and pictures. The results point to a persistent middle class presence down to the closing decade of the century, especially in the district laid out about 1800 as a suburb. Nearby working-class housing was not the result of 'filtering' as much as lax planning at the original land transfer. As the century progressed more rather than less small-scale social mixing became evident, partly due to an early inner-city redevelopment scheme. However, new housing took on a mixed social and structural profile
slum suburb nineteenth_century small_scale study socio residential change rapid_growth town application urban factory production may coincide important increase scale social segregation study_examines development district glasgow light present century become archetypal slum yet contrast architecture historical_record point varied small_scale social topography change growth social residential structure measure use city directory census data household together mass contemporary observation local record map picture point persistent middle_class presence closing especially district laid suburb nearby working_class housing much lax plan original land transfer century progress rather less small_scale social mixing become_evident partly_due early inner_city scheme however new housing take mixed social structural profile