Ivy survived both the collapse because she was blown clear by the explosion; however, four people died in the collapse and another seventeen received injuries. The death toll would certainly have been higher if all the flats in the newly opened building had been occupied. The building was repaired and strengthened to avoid a repeat of the tragedy, which prompted the Government to tighten up building regulations.
The disaster at Ronan Point along with the increasing social problems endemic in many of the prefabricated high-rises built to provide cheap housing tarnished the modernist dream of 'villages in the sky' leading to an eventual move away from tower blocks, many of which were pulled down while they were still viable buildings: Newham Council demolished Ronan Point itself in 1986. More recently, the need for housing in London and other British cities has resulted in flats in ex-Council high-rise flats becoming popular with young professionals.
To learn more about Ronan Point and other iconic British buildings of the twentieth century, visit the Open University's From Here to Modernity web pages.
This is an important event an well known with people who are involved in building. I knew about it through reading a 1969 annual, Nice post thanks.
ReplyDeleteJames
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I think that Ronan Point, along with the disaster at Aberfan are icons of the late 60s. A stark contrast to the images of 'flower power' and King's Road fashion.
K