Lessons from the British and French New Towns

Lessons from the British and French New Towns: ParadiseLost? explores the evolution of the New Towns in both France and the UKfrom several perspectives including public policy, sociology, geography andheritage. UK and French New Towns have many similarities in terms ofthe role of the national state in tackling urgent problems of housing and urbangrowth and in promoting innovative design and architecture. These innovative planned settlements haveleft a contested and complex legacy, but are once again on the political andurbanisation agenda in Europe, where a push for growth of housing and thedesire for sustainability are the new drivers of urban planning and design. After years of the private development market being seen as the principalinstrument of urban growth and planning, it is time to assess the urban legacyand the heritage of the UK and French New Towns. This book contrasts theirevolution on both sides of the Channel and shows what can be learned about postwar state planning and the future planning of new settlements.