Where you live might determine who you are and what you get as the phrase ‘the post-code’ lottery suggests. Places carry connotations about whether or not they are desirable places to live and they suggest the kinds of people who might live there. Children learn from playing Monopoly that it's far more desirable to own property on Mayfair than it is to own property on the Old Kent Road.
The Open University has been working with the BBC on two series, The Secret History of Our Streets: London first broadcast on BBC Two, 6th June 2012 and The Secret History of Our Streets: Scotland first broadcast on BBC Two, 25th July 2014. To coincide with the final programme of the first series, Arnold Circus, London, we published some stories behind the streets in Dublin, Ireland alongside Manchester and Sheffield in England, Cardiff in Wales and Glasgow, Scotland.
Will you contribute more stories behind your own streets? There's some great stories to share!
Explore the stories we've published so far, and contribute your own!
More stories behind the streets
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Arnold Circus, London: social housing for the 'deserving poor'
Take part now to access more details of Arnold Circus, London: social housing for the 'deserving poor'From the tenants of the first council housing estate, built on the Old Nichol in the 19th century, we trace the stories of Arnold Circus residents today.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Upper Buckingham Street, Dublin, Ireland: from speculative landowners to multi-tenanted tenements
Take part now to access more details of Upper Buckingham Street, Dublin, Ireland: from speculative landowners to multi-tenanted tenementsThe story of Upper Buckingham Street, from its initial layout in 1788 to the present day, reflects the ups and downs of Dublin city and its people.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Park Hill, Sheffield: continuity and change
Take part now to access more details of Park Hill, Sheffield: continuity and changeWhat stories does Park Hill hold? From 19th century industrial squalor to iconic 'streets in the sky' in the 1960s, Park Hill, Sheffield changes once again as we enter the 21st century.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Great Ancoats Street, Manchester: cottonopolis to urban village
Take part now to access more details of Great Ancoats Street, Manchester: cottonopolis to urban villageWhat are the stories behind this unique 'urban village'? From the largest mills of Manchester's 19th century industrial era to slum dwellings in the 1920s. 21st century Ancoats sees revamped canals, squares and modern, stylish apartments.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Dumbarton Road, Partick, Glasgow: from tenements to riverside apartments
Take part now to access more details of Dumbarton Road, Partick, Glasgow: from tenements to riverside apartmentsWe look back at the social history shaped by a ten-fold rise in population from 5,000 in 1850 to over 55,000 by 1901, and forward to the Glasgow Harbour regeneration scheme.
Level: 1 Introductory
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City Road, Cardiff: suburban thoroughfare
Take part now to access more details of City Road, Cardiff: suburban thoroughfareKnown as Castle Road in the 19th century, we trace the changing character and communities of City Road, re-named in 1905, when Cardiff gained city status.
Level: 1 Introductory
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The street I grew up on was very friendly, all the children grew up and played together. There were 2 primary schools on the street, so parking was quite difficult at certain times of the day. The houses did not have large front gardens, but there was a park at the end of the street, which the children used to play at as children and later on hang out in as teenagers. Forty years later, the street is still there, the park and the schools are also there but the families that grew up there, have of course moved on and new families now call it their home.
The street i live on now is quite different to that of the one i grew up on. I grew up on a street of terraced housing in London. We were one of the end houses on a block which meant we had back garden access. The houses were small and all together very tightly. Each house had its garden at the front which always felt very secluded. People rarely spoke and parking was a nightmare.
Now i have moved into the New Forest, my house is larger, feels more open not just insude, but outside. The street is a cul de sac, so not a very busy one at all, just at the main commuting times. Children are playing out well into the evenings, chickens are wandering around and the neighbours will stand outside with a cup of tea and have a chat.
The street i am in now, despite being in a similar economic position to that of the street in London, feels much safer and homlier.