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During 1940 and the early part of 1941, air raid damage
was done to houses of all 4 types. In addition, there has
been the extra wear and tear or neglect resulting from
evacuation, billeting and other disturbances of occupation,
as well as from the necessities of air raid precautions,such
as strutting, blackout, etc. All these circumstances have
accentuated the natural deterioration of age which has
affected not only categories (l) and (2), but also (4).
It is, therefore, clear now that for any satisfactory solution
of the housing problems of the borough, the whole borough
should be regarded as a Redevelopment Area, in order that it
may be replanned as a whole. With the exception of category
(3), there is little housing which is worth preserving,
except that probably, as a transitional measure it may be
necessary to defer the clearance of some houses in category (4)
while the replanning and rebuilding of the borough is in
progress, so that they may serve for temporary accommodation.
Having regard to the conditions which have been endured by the
people of Bethnal Green, in common with those in other parts
of London and the country, we are justified in expecting that
the reconstruction of the borough shall not be marred when
it is complete by isolated streets or houses of a standard far
below that of the remainder of the district. Even from a
practical point of view, the obvious consequences of such a
policy would be reluctant occupation of such houses by families
unable to obtain better accommodation, and the rapid further
deterioration of this property. Having decided, as one may
reasonably hope, to have done with slums once and for all, it
would be folly to countenance a situation in which fresh slums
must inevitably develop.
While our principal energies are concentrated on all
essential measures for victory in the war, it is not too soon
to think of the great tasks of reconstruction which will
confront us immediately it is attained. It must be remembered
that for some years before the war, it was recognised that
not only did the housing of the borough require drastic changes
but also that the Health services, notably Maternity and Child
Welfare, required considerable improvement end extension. Ihe
years of war have greatly increased the urgency of these tasks.
Reconstruction is not, however, summed up in the mere replacement
of new houses for old but, if it is to produce results
worthy of a new page in our history, must involve some
rational relationship between health, education and the other
social services and industry and amenity and the resettling
of the population in communities and areas that will allow of
a fuller social life. This naturally means planning on a
vast scale and will probably require larger areas of local
government than those with which we are now familiar,
although it will no doubt be necessary to retain a great deal
of local democratic sharing in the control of the
administration.
With these considerations in mind, I venture to express
the hope that it will be possible at an early date for Bethnal
Green to make its own particular contribution to these plans
for the future.
Medical Officer of Health.