Description
The Battle for Tolmers Square
by Nick Wates
Published by Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1976
ISBN 0 7100 8448 X
Reissued by Routledge Revivals, Taylor & Francis Group
Hardback, 2012: 978-0-415-65892-8
Paperback, 2014: 978-0-415-65893-5
E-book, 2013: 978-0-203-07552-4
Design, artwork and layout: Kate Hepburn, Caroline Lwin and Barry Shaw. Contributors: Jamie Gough and Tim Wilson.
Supported by the School of Environmental Studies, University College London.
For seventeen years, Tolmers Square in north London was the focus of a conflict involving tenant’s groups, community associations, students, squatters, intellectuals, political parties at both national and local level, and property developers. The dramatic story of that conflict is told by Nick Wates, who describes how Tolmers Square became a national symbol of the fight against property speculation and the need for community involvement in planning.
The book focuses on one case-study, but the same processes operate in all cities. By tracing the Tolmers case in detail, the book shows clearly the destructive forces which often operate in city redevelopment, and the effectiveness of various forms of campaigning and community action.
‘The book is alive with the furious emotion that Tolmers Square did – and still does – inspire in everyone involved… a fascinating tale.’
Liz Forgan, Times Educational Supplement, 15 October 1976
‘A fascinating book.’
Howard Hannah, Camden Journal, 15 October 1976
‘…a rare report from the frontier of urban change’
Simon Jenkins, Times Literary Supplement, 12 November 1976
‘A story of great importance precisely because in its essentials it could be repeated for scores of other inner city areas…. An essential piece of reading for all those trying to change the features of incredible waste and gross inhumanity characterising so many of our inner-city areas.’
Ann Holmes, Labour Weekly, 19 November 1976
‘An impassioned account…laid out in an ingenious format which owes something to documentary film….The language of thrillers applies to it: it was, indeed, hard to put down.’
Richard North, The Listener, 25 November 1976
‘…a thorough, very readable, well-documented case study… about planning which actually looks interesting as well.’
Richard Adam, Planning, 17 December 1976
‘The great strength of the book is the remorseless detail of its account of the developer’s tactics, of the fitful politics of the residents resistance, and of what it is like to be on the receiving end of major redevelopment… An excellent source book.’
Michael Edwards, Architectural Design, January 1977
‘…a period classic.’
Reyner Banham, New Society, June 1980
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