Hulme, in inner-city Manchester, was filled with rows of terraced houses built following the Industrial Revolution. But by the end of WWII, the housing that had survived was deemed unfit and demolished.
In the late 1960s, Hulme's time for redevelopment had come, and at its heart were 'The Crescents' - four u-shaped blocks of flats, each seven storeys high. Opened in 1972, they offered a range of different accommodation, looked out onto communal gardens, and were linked by high-access decks - 'streets in the sky'.
However, rushed construction, poor quality materials and serious design flaws meant that The Crescents were soon plagued by problems. Just three years after opening, 96.3% of residents wished to be rehoused, and by 1984 the Council decided to stop charging rents completely, attracting new residents from the fringes of society.
In 1991, The Crescents' time was up and all four were gone by 1995. The area has been redeveloped once more (in consultation with residents), returning to more traditional-style mixed housing and the creation of a new park in the centre of the community.
This collection gives a glimpse into life in Hulme during this time, showcasing the communities and the people who lived there.
A-Z of Hulme
- Hulme
- 1990