Main content

Owen Hatherley: The Decline of Architecture

Owen Hatherley attacks the architectural results of recent 'urban regeneration'. He regrets the loss of confidence in a vision of how cities of the future should be.

Writer and cultural critic Owen Hatherley attacks the architectural results of recent "urban regeneration".

He regrets the loss of confidence in a vision of how cities of the future should be. Defending the buildings of the 1960s, he says:

"Even the most reviled of blocks contain spacious apartments," whereas "the new blocks you can see everywhere are designed from the outside in - irregular windows and brightly coloured cladding hides the tiny mean proportions and a total lack of planning for human use."

Four Thought is a series of talks which combine thought provoking ideas and engaging storytelling.

Recorded live in front of an audience at the RSA in London, speakers take to the stage to air their latest thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect our culture and society.

Producer: Sheila Cook.

Available now

15 minutes

Broadcast

  • Wed 17 Aug 2011 20:45

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

The Best of Four Thought

Explore some of the best programmes from Radio 4's Four Thought

Change a light bulb, check your emails...

What can you do in 4 minutes? Join us in some intelligent time wasting.

Seriously...

Seriously...

Discover seriously interesting documentaries from Radio 4.

Podcast