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Our 'Housing Stories' series is a mini series of blogs revealing the complex ways in which shelter provision interweave over time, and impact on multiple aspects of people’s lives.

What can we learn about the design and impact of housing policy and practice approaches from the stories of those inhabiting them?

At a time when housing policy too often takes the form of storytelling from above, the rendering of such stories from below provides a crucial reminder of the human consequences of bureaucratic and political decision-making in the terrain of housing. Therefore, we task our students on the Building and Urban Design in Development MScÌýto develop housing stories of an individual orÌýthe housing stories of a particular house. This is an assessed component from ourÌýmodule 'Housing Policies: Practical Dimensions and Alternative Options'.

With a focus on identifying those personal and political factors which conspire to open or close opportunities for individuals to attain housing security for themselves and their families, these stories shine new light on the gaps that can emerge between policy rhetoric and housing realities. In that sense, they provide a novel means to both evaluate the efficacy and reach of existing housing policies as well as to identify critical points for future intervention.

Curated by module tutors Tim Wickson and Ruth McLeod, this mini-series presents stories from Nigeria, Peru, Israel, India, Lebanon, Japan and Argentina, all of which are shared here with the kind permission of both the author and their key protagonists.

By Esteban Llano Piedrahita
This housing story tells the tale of Esteban's grandmother Aurora, who fled the countryside with her eight children and found refuge in the red neighborhood of Medellín in the year 1963.

By Maya Siregar
This housing story delves into the experiences of Rasini and her parents to examine the dynamic of Jakarta’s housing market over a 40-years span.

By Bárbara Bonelli
Here, Bárbara shares Leslie, Sonia, Angela and Mirta's fight for their homes as necessary to achieve social justice.

By Sylwia SatoraÌý
Sylwia explores UK immigration from Eastern Europe.

By Asim Noon
This housing story follows the urban transformation of a once-thriving node based in the Old Anarkali neighbourhood of Lahore, Pakistan.

By Shaz Elahee
This housing story follows Shaz'sÌýMum’s journey andÌýprovides valuable insight into the history of housing policies in Mauritius and how they have evolved.Ìý

By Catalina Marino
Catalina rediscovers Buenos Aires’ housing policy through Sara's housing story.

By Rohit LahotiÌý
This is the housing story of Ahmed and his family whichÌýparallels housing policy shifts in India.

By Matan FlumÌý
This housing story serves asÌýgenealogical research whereby Matan writes about the life journey of hisÌýgrandmother and its socio-political meaning throughout 1928-2021.

By Louai KaakaniÌý
By sharing hisÌýgrandmother’s housing story, Louai questions ‘Where is the State?’ and critically examines the value of public intervention in her life.Ìý

By Rosa Paredes Castro
Maria’s story highlights the trajectory of a woman who seek to overcome the barriers of the unequal land distribution of housing and how migrants createdÌýself-organised createÌýspace for their families.

By Yimika Koya
This housing story follows the journey of Yimika's parents and the alignment in their visions and strategies for housing.

By Yuka Aota
This housing story explores the housing history of Yuka'sÌýgrandfather and how housing policies and land-use in Japan have confronted changing socio-economic and political situations.Ìý

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