Town and Country Planning

Abstract

THE forty–second annual report of the Town and Country Planning Association refers to a memorandum on “Town Planning in Relation to the Present Emergency and After–War Reconstruction” submitted to the Prime Minister last autumn, as well as to opportunities which Sir Montague Barlow, Prof. P. Abercrombie, Dr. W. A. Robson and other members have had of putting before Lord Reith and Mr. Arthur Greenwood the policy of national planning, decentralization, re–development and construction of new towns for which the Association stands. The agreed findings of the report of the Royal Commission on the Geographical Distribution of the Industrial Population are substantially consistent with evidence given before the Commission by the Association and have proved of the utmost value as a basis for national policy. The Council is considering what forms of activity are practicable in present circumstances to use the new opportunities. The formation of groups, in as many towns as possible, which will undertake research and education in the local application of a national planning policy, is desirable. There is a great demand from men in the services and civilian groups for well–informed talks and booklets on future planning. Much also needs to be done to develop sound policy and technical knowledge among members of local authorities and their staffs. The report also directs attention to the change in name of the Association from “The Garden Cities and Town Planning Association”, and includes a short statement of town–country planning principles, adopted by the Council in January 1941, acceptance of which by the Government and Parliament is urged.