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Urban Planning Theory since 1945
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Urban Planning Theory since 1945



June 1998 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Following the Second World War, modern systems of urban and regional planning were established in Britain and most other developed countries. In this book, Nigel Taylor describes the changes in planning thought which have taken place since then.

He outlines the main theories of planning, from the traditional view of urban planning as an exercise in physical design, to the systems and rational process views of planning of the 1960s; from Marxist accounts of the role of planning in capitalist society in the 1970s, to theories about planning implementation, and more recent views of planning as a form of `communicative action'.

 
PART ONE: EARLY POST-WAR PLANNING THEORY
 
Town Planning as Physical Planning and Design
 
The Values of Post-War Planning Theory
 
Early Critiques of Post-War Planning Theory
 
PART TWO: PLANNING THEORY IN THE 1960S
 
The Systems and Rational Process Views of Planning
 
Planning as a Political Process
 
PART THREE: PLANNING THEORY FROM THE 1970S TO THE 1990S
 
Theory about the Effects of Planning
 
Rational Planning and Implementation
 
Planning Theory after the New Right
 
PART FOUR: CONCLUSIONS
 
Paradigm Shifts, Modernism, and Postmodernism

`The author has created a short and readable overview of the main theories of planning, an achievement which students will surely appreciate' - Netherlands Journal of Housing and the Built Environment

`I would use Nigel Taylor's book as a first point of entry. The text is peppered with very good illustrations of planning theory in practice and Nigel Taylor is very careful to show the implications, impacts, and contradictions of theoretical ideas when applied to a range of planning contexts' - European Planning Studies


An interesting, useful and clear book on post-war British planning practices. The emphasis given to practical urban planning processes certainly helps to reason in more concrete terms.
The book is not only a handbook of theories, but it is also possible to understand the ideological and philosophical struggles between theories as well as the search for a better praxis on participatory and shared processes.
At the same time, a structured technical analysis enables to track consistently the historical evolution of the legislation and the different approaches. Although it is a theoretical text, the practical aspect is not secondary: the entire flow of theories and related processes is instead analyzed with clarity and rigour.

Dr Marco Spada
School of Arts and Humanities, University of Suffolk
February 26, 2020

Nigel Taylor’s book is an enjoyable overview of what can be an overly complex and embattled subject area. His clear account of post-war planning is an excellent starting point for students negotiating the politically complex minefield of Britain’s attempts at modern urban and regional development.

Mr John Aitken
JOMEC, UClan
November 21, 2013

A really clear and simple intorduction to different aproaches to planning. It outs accross some very complex ideas in an easily understandable manner.

Dr Catherine Hammond
Architecture and Planning, Sheffield Hallam University
January 24, 2012

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Paperback
ISBN: 9780761960935
£44.99

Hardcover
ISBN: 9780761960942
£171.00

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