Planners and the public: British popular opinion on housing during the second world war

Abstract

During the Second World War, the British public played a significant part in helping to shape the design and style of post‐war housing. Public consultation in housing formed part of the democratic planning process, as extensive post‐war housing provision became a necessity. This article explores the nature of popular opinion on housing and how it may have intersected with the ideas of architects and planners. The results of several opinion surveys suggested that the public held varied, even contradictory, views on the question of housing. Nevertheless, there was a strong demand on its part for better housing affording greater privacy. This was clearly acknowledged by some experts, who tried to take note of these views to produce plans for post‐war housing in tune with the public's needs and tastes.