Owen Hatherley's 'Trans-Europe Express' Analyzes European Urban Architecture as Political Expression

Owen Hatherley's book 'Trans-Europe Express' examines the architecture of Europe's smaller cities as a reflection of political, social, and economic forces. The work critiques Britain's shift from European communal ideals toward private investment models, linking this architectural change to Brexit attitudes. Hatherley analyzes cities including Hamburg, Rotterdam, Łódź, Skopje, Sofia, and Hull, focusing on housing projects, cultural institutions, and municipal buildings rather than iconic landmarks. He praises postwar social-democratic Modernism while criticizing developments like Skopje's pseudo-classical monuments as expressions of nativism and despotism. The book argues that urban planning principles like accessible social housing, fair rental markets, and integrated public transport have been abandoned in Britain, explaining why residents supported leaving the European Union. Published in ArtReview's Summer 2018 issue, the essays connect architectural choices to broader societal values and political decisions.