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taillée à la serpe des chemins de grue

English translation: crudely built mass housing blocks

19:23 Feb 27, 2012
French to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Social Science, Sociology, Ethics, etc. / urban planning
French term or phrase: taillée à la serpe des chemins de grue
Hello,

I have to translate an article about architecture and urban planning.
How would this translate in English: "taillée à la serpe des chemins de grue".

Here you have the context for the section with which I need help:
"Marqué certes par une urbanisation des années 60 taillée à la serpe des chemins de grue, et par des événements douloureux que se plaisent à relayer régulièrement les médias, le quartier du plateau qui s’étire à la lisière partagée des communes de Clichy-sous-Bois et Montfermeil, bénéficie aujourd’hui d’un grand projet de rénovation urbaine."

Thank you,
Zdo
Dana Milea
Romania
Local time: 05:04
English translation:crudely built mass housing blocks
Explanation:
Maybe can be put better, but that is the idea

taillée à la serpe (argot) = grossier, dur, sans finesse

le chemin de grue = from Wikipedia for habitation à loyer modéré: "The residences were often constructed in large complexes, by le chemin de grue ("the way of the crane"). The new, large apartment buildings were perfectly rectangular, so as to allow a crane to roll along a track and place components on both sides of the building simultaneously, saving both time and effort."

Selected response from:

Just Opera
Belgium
Local time: 04:04
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2crudely built mass housing blocks
Just Opera
Summary of reference entries provided
Good photos
kashew

Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


51 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
crudely built mass housing blocks


Explanation:
Maybe can be put better, but that is the idea

taillée à la serpe (argot) = grossier, dur, sans finesse

le chemin de grue = from Wikipedia for habitation à loyer modéré: "The residences were often constructed in large complexes, by le chemin de grue ("the way of the crane"). The new, large apartment buildings were perfectly rectangular, so as to allow a crane to roll along a track and place components on both sides of the building simultaneously, saving both time and effort."




    Reference: http://www.languefrancaise.net/bob/detail.php?id=59091
    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HLM
Just Opera
Belgium
Local time: 04:04
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  kashew: Maybe unimaginative improves on crudely-built?
4 mins
agree  Marian Vieyra: Good piece of research.
12 hrs
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Reference comments


1 hr
Reference: Good photos

Reference information:
http://les40kartierslesplusdif2.skyrock.com/3007548453-Clich...

kashew
France
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
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