Abstract

Massive urbanization in Europe is not a phenomenon that began only in the 20th century. The roots of this process can be traced back two centuries. With the end of the Second World War the specific conjunction of powerful forces together changed the landscape of European cities. Urbanization was undoubtedly one of them. Among other factors, Musterd and van Kempen (2005) correctly itemized not only objective processes that can be measured and evaluated, such as the post-war housing shortage, a (still) high urbanization rate, especially in countries where the pre-war economy had been based on rural activities or available technology, but also specific social atmosphere. The latter includes the belief in modernity and progress, which can help to solve social or, in a broader sense, civilizational problems. Affordability of housing and equal access to public services were undoubtedly important for all European societies. These new attitude also included a demand for a higher standard of living (which obviously varied in different countries) and the important role of the state in redistributing social wealth. However, this ‘higher standard’ meant access to running water, efficient heating, and better hygienic facilities, rather than increasing living space per person. The recollections of the housing conditions of pre-wartime Europe were still fresh; it was an image that people did not look back upon fondly. Slum clearance was not happening in developing countries, it was actually an important element of housing policy in many, if not all European countries. (Murie, 2018)

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