The provision of rural local-authority housing and domestic space: a comparative North-South study, 1942-60

Abstract

The provision of houses was identified as an important issue throughout Ireland in the aftermath of the Second World War or, as it was known in the South, the post-'Emergency' period. Housing need was quantified before the end of the war in both northern and southern Ireland and prioritised as a matter that required attention by both governments. This paper explores northern and southern Irish housing policy. It will provide a comparative analysis of housing policy formulation and implementation, North and South, with a specific focus on planning, the design of the domestic space and the construction of rural local-authority dwellings during the period 1942 to 1960. It will include a study of contemporary house designs available at the time as well as a number of designs actually adopted by local authorities and the Northern Ireland Housing Trust.