Perspectivas Urbanas / Urban Perspectives

Noticias
News 		THE REBUILDING OF BRITISH CITIES IN CONTEXT: EXPLORING THE POST-SECOND WORLD WAR RECONSTRUCTION
Birmingham (United Kingdom), may 12th, 2004

Sponsored by the Faculty of the Built Environment, UCE and the International Planning History Society in association with the Centre for Urban History and the Urban Morphology Research Group.

Organisers: Peter Larkham and Joe Nasr, UCE

10:00-10:30 Welcome: Alan Middleton, Joe Nasr and Peter Larkham (University of Central England)

10:30-12:00 First session: Planning the British reconstruction

  • Peter Larkham (University of Central England) The reconstruction plans
  • John Pendlebury (University of Newcastle) The reconstruction planners
  • Discussant: Anthony Sutcliffe (University of Nottingham)

12:00-13:30 Lunch and walking tour of city centre of Birmingham

13:30-15:00 Second session: Producing and consuming the British reconstruction

  • Nicholas Bullock (University of Cambridge) Designing the rebuilt city
  • Keith Lilley (Queen's University, Belfast) Experiencing the rebuilt city
  • Discussant: Patricia Garside (University of Salford)

15:00-15:30 Break

15:30-17:00 Third session: Situating the British reconstruction

  • Stephen Ward (Oxford Brookes University) Linkages across reconstructions
  • Joe Nasr (University of Central England) Comparisons across reconstructions
  • Discussant: Dieter Schott (University of Leicester)


In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in the reconstruction after the Second World War - and in post-catastrophe rebuilding more generally. Country-specific conferences have been held over the past two decades overseas, but not in the UK. Continuing detailed research has uncovered much more about the number and type of reconstruction plans, and about how individual places undertook such plans, publicised them, and implemented them. Yet much more remains unknown. Did this outpouring of planning represent a 'new paradigm'? How did consultants become involved? Were plans too visionary, too prescriptive? How did citizens go through and shape the reconstruction process, and why was public reaction predominantly negative - apathetic at best? Why were so many plans not implemented, or at best implemented only partially? How did the UK experience compare or contrast with other post-war reconstructions? And, half a century later, how are these rebuilt cities perceived and valued, and how are they changing?

This small, informal workshop aims to develop our understanding in this area of planning history. It does not intend to reiterate the details of recent research projects. Instead, key speakers will highlight important facts, issues and themes, with the intention of generating discussion and debate. What links can be made between recent research initiatives, and between disciplines? Future collaborations or other research ideas will be explored.

Spaces are limited, so advance booking is essential, no later than May 2nd.

Some support for travel costs may be available for non-salaried researchers; please contact the organisers.


Booking Form
Name: Prof/Dr/Mr/Ms
Affiliation:
Postal address:
Telephone:
E-mail address:
What is your particular interest in the workshop topic?
Please note any dietary or physical restrictions:
Please return to: builtenv.reconstruction@uce.ac.uk; or to Mrs. Pat Wheeler. Faculty of the Built Environment. University of Central England. Perry Barr. Birmingham. B42 2SU. Tel: (0121) 331-6231.