Hostages to history? The surprising survival of critical comments about British planning and planners c. 1942–1955

Abstract

Unravelling processes of decision-making is central to most planning history. While archives can helpfully supplement published plans and even oral histories, many archive files [such as those in the UK's National Archives (NA)] are fragmentary and lifeless. This short note explores the surprising survival in the NA of some very acerbic and personal commentaries, demonstrating a lack of regard of the civil servants of the Ministry of Town and Country Planning for planning and planners, including some of the best-known planners of the period. This sheds new light on decision-making and professional relationships.

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