Values and Judgments

Abstract

The article reviews and assesses criticisms of the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act, particularly after its 1968 reformed version. Focusing on the shift in planning values, it examines such factors as the unforeseen postwar changes in economic and environmental expectations in both the private and public sectors, and changes in local government structure and administration brought about by the 1972 Local Government Act. It con cludes that the problems which became evident after the 1968 reforms in the planning system—"internal difficulties, local government changes, economic downturn"— con tinue to affect planning values and provoke dissatisfaction with the planning process. The article looks ahead to the 1980s and concludes that planning will be characterized by professionalism; planners will implement policy, will act as facilitators, and will con centrate on regeneration rather than manage growth.