Over the past few weeks, usually in the context of our crumbling apartment blocks, we have frequently heard that a fairly recent UNSW study found that 85 per cent of apartment blocks built after 2000 had defects.
Now, with immaculate timing, the woman behind that survey, Dr Hazel Easthope, has published what could be the definitive study of apartment living for the 21st century.
Called The Politics And Practices of Apartment Living, the book studies the evolution of this lifestyle across several countries, including the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa and, of course, Australia.
And you can have it for a bargain price of 45 UK pounds (that’s 35 per cent off) from Edward Elgar publishing by going to www.e-elgar.com. One the book is in your basket, enter “EAST35” in the discount code box (after delivery details). You can also sample the contents of the book there. This offer ends on September 31.
Alternatively, you can get an online copy considerably cheaper by clicking on one of the ebook options on that page (but beware that the GooglePay option is in US dollars).
So what’s in it? This is what the advertising blurb says:
With a majority of the world’s population now living in cities, apartment living is a necessity. This book explores the potential of private apartment developments (condominiums) to play an important role in modern cities and contribute to a positive urban future.
Addressing the influences of housing markets, development practices, planning regimes, legal structures and social and cultural norms on the development and operation of condominiums, Hazel Easthope argues that while the condominium is a child of the neo-liberal city, it has the potential to rebel against its parent by enabling local-level resident action, mobilising place-based politics, and facilitating the creation of local social ties.
Including interviews with over 100 specialists across seven countries, this book is an exemplary cross-disciplinary work that studies the past, present and potential of apartment living.
A timely and original contribution to current scholarship, this book will be an interesting read for students and researchers of geography, urban studies, planning, social policy and law. Its insights into the complexities of condominiums will also be useful for lawyers, property managers and government officials.
Interested? You can have it for a bargain price of 45 UK pounds (that’s 35 per cent off) from Edward Elgar publishing by going to www.e-elgar.com. One the book is in your basket, enter “EAST35” in the discount code box (after delivery details).
You can also sample the contents of the book there. This offer ends on September 31.
Alternatively, you can get an online copy considerably cheaper by clicking on one of the ebook options on that page (but beware that the Google option is in US dollars).
Still not sure? Here are some reviews:
‘This is arguably one of the best books ever written about condominiums. Easthope has researched all aspects of the life-cycle of condominiums, from development to termination, covering multiple jurisdictions across the world. She draws out differences in structures and management, but more importantly, highlights the striking similarities in global residential development. As condominiums increasingly dominate our cities, this book will become an essential resource for all researchers.’
– Cathy Sherry, University of New South Wales, Australia
‘Motivated by a desire to help people live better in this urban century, Easthope has listened to those who build, finance, own, manage, regulate, study, provide legal advice to, and, most importantly, live in condominium apartments on four different continents. The result is a rich, interview-based analysis built around the life cycle of condominium developments that foregrounds the challenges and inequities, but also sees promise and potential for better lives and cities in condominium apartment living.’
– Douglas Harris, The University of British Columbia, Canada
‘This important new book addresses the growing international trend for multi-occupied urban housing. It uniquely combines analysis of markets, law, and planning and development policies, with the everyday experiences of condominium residents and managers. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the urban future.’
– Sarah Blandy, University of Sheffield, UK
‘In this noteworthy empirical study, Hazel Easthope captures the trials and tribulations of the major dramatis personae of these self-governing mini-municipalities – from their establishment, through constant maintenance and renovations, up to the demise and termination of the condominium, when the buildings can no longer be salvaged. The study expertly covers the life cycle of condominiums in major world cities such as New York, Toronto, Sydney, Singapore, Hong Kong and Johannesburg.’
– Cornelius Van Der Merwe, University of Stellenbosch,
South Africa and University of Aberdeen, UK
Hazel, a long-time friend of Flat Chat, will be a special guest on our podcast in a couple of weeks.
This is now being discussed in the Flat Chat Forum