Creating new communities: The role of the Neighbourhood unit in post‐war British planning

Abstract

The use of the neighbourhood unit concept was a key element in the majority of the first ‘mark one’ new towns constructed following the New Towns Act of 1946. The neighbourhood unit represented an attempt to reverse the perceived breakdown of ‘community spirit’ during the inter‐war years. The concept was also used by the 1945 Labour government as a means to eradicate class divisions, and thus make society more cohesive. This article traces the rise and rapid decline of the neighbourhood unit policy from its American origins to its ignominious disappearance in the face of opposition from town planners, architects and sociologists. It evaluates the successes and failings of this policy and argues that the concept reveals much not only about the governance and planning of Britain in the immediate post‐war period, but also raises issues about class and social ‘cohesion’ in British society.