Architecture
Bor, Walter (18 of 29) National Life Stories Collection: Architects' Lives
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Type
sound
Duration
00:30:52
Shelf mark
C467/13
Subjects
Architecture
Recording date
1997
Recording locations
Interviewee's home, London
Interviewees
Bor, Walter, 1916-1999 (speaker, male)
Interviewers
Brodie, Louise (speaker, female)
Abstract
Part 18: Walter Bor [WB] Feasibility study for Tehran with Costains. Dealings with Mayor, Nikpay, graduate of LSE, sharp operator. Long negotiations. Describes existing city centre and potential military site in the north of city. Produced superb model, shown to Shah in St Moritz. Details of meeting and of the design, mingling tradition with modern buildings. Reaction to Shah’s criticism and his eventual support. Report published but overtaken by advent of Khomeini who refused to pay bills and job was lot. Very costly to the practice. 1975 Small Heath, development for a deprived area, Peter Shore in charge. Meeting with very negative civil servants but preliminary report produced. Analysis of problems of the Small Heath area misunderstood by civil servants. Three-quarters of population were Asian, only stable part of community, with well-maintained houses, in employment and industrious White population trapped in dependency culture. Identified derelict area to be turned into open space, need for housing caretakers, creation of new jobs and sense of belonging. Report published. Labour Minister, Freeson, accepted this which led on to Inner Area Act. WB awarded CBE.
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