Beyond Separate Spheres: Linking Production with Social Reproduction and Consumption

The division between the spheres of production and of social reproduction and consumption is common in social geography. In this paper it is argued that a more complete view of social reality and of social change may be gained by looking at links between these spheres in a given locality. This contention is supported by a case study of some of the housing policies of the London Docklands Development Corporation. This government-sponsored agency, it is argued, set out to affect a simultaneous transformation of both spheres in its area of operation. The implications of this policy are discussed.