Disrupting the Speculative City : Property, power and community resistance in London

Abstract

In 2011, police violence triggered an uprising in Tottenham that laid bare decades of neglect and state violence against the area’s racialised communities. In its aftermath, local leaders and corporate developers devised an aggressive redevelopment agenda that would have demolished the homes, workspaces and communities of thousands of council tenants, private renters and traders. Their plan was to transform Tottenham and surrounding areas from a diverse working-class place to a space for wealthy investors, residents and consumers.

Available as a free open access download and in print, Disrupting the Speculative City tells the story of how a community coalition defeated one of the most ambitious programmes of state-led gentrification in London. Known as the ‘Haringey Development Vehicle’ (HDV), it would have been executed through an undemocratic and speculative joint venture between the local council and the notorious international developer Lendlease. Thanks to the political creativity, tactical nous and extraordinary commitment of ordinary people, the HDV was scrapped by the local council in 2018. Drawing on the accounts of those at the heart of the struggle and analysing crucial developments in property investment, local statecraft and grassroots organising, this book explores a significant and inspirational success for campaigners in London, where social cleansing has become the default outcome of redevelopment.

Praise for Disrupting the Speculative City

'This book successfully combines rigorous research and political clarity. Through their chronicle of an important urban struggle in North London, the authors speak to broader issues about power, politics and development. The book will be of interest to students and scholars of urban planning, urban geography and social movements, as well as to anyone trying to understand the contradictions of urbanism today.' David Madden, LSE

'This important book narrates how a grassroots campaign successfully fought off one of the most appalling mega-gentrification schemes in London. It makes clear that the fight was not simply political – Momentum versus New Labour in Haringey – but a coming together of a broad coalition of people who used practices and tactics that will be of real value in other anti-gentrification struggles locally, nationally and globally.' Loretta Lees, Boston University

'Disrupting the Speculative City represents an inspirational major contribution to urban regeneration scholarship in relation to understanding how and why grassroots’ activists were able to successfully mount the StopHDV campaign in north London.' Paul Watt, LSE