From the archive: Reflection on the New Towns from the Forgotten Women Pioneers

With the recent press surrounding the New Towns, there has been frequent discussion of the role played by an array of men, including Sir Fredric J Osborn, Lord Silkin, and Lord Reith.  Yet, as the TCPA’s Forgotten Pioneers report highlighted, the contributions of women are often overlooked.  

Despite its patronising title, the article ‘The Ladies Join in' (Town & Country Planning, Jan/Feb 1968) offers reflections on the New Towns from two pioneers of New Town planning, Elizabeth Mitchell and Evelyn Denington. It also provides insights from two female residents, Gillian Pitt from Crawley and Kathleen Baker from Stevenage.  

Lessons from Female New Town Residents and Planners  

Carton by P. Weston from the 'The ladies join in' in the January-February 1968 edition of Town and Country Planning 

‘Despite mistakes, I feel that new town life presents a way of living that, with a little effort, can be friendly, pleasant, and beneficial and I like to think that my own years in a new town are some of the happiest I have known.’  - Kathleen Baker on Stevenage 

The reflections on the New Towns by women involved in their creation, or who lived in them, offer some fundamental lessons for the creation of the next generation of New Towns.   

Firstly, the planning and construction of New Towns should account for the local context and environment to prevent the ‘strange feeling that here was a fragment of London dropped on a windy Scottish hillside’, as described by Elizabeth Mitchell. Moreover, it is vital that there are adequate skills and capacity to aid in the planning and delivery of New Towns. Evelyn Denington notes the delays in construction faced by Stevenage due to labour shortages.  

New Towns should enable all their residents to thrive throughout all stage of their lives, offering high-quality homes, diverse jobs and economic opportunities, and cultural facilities. Evelyn Denington, Gillian Pitt, and Kathleen Baker all positively describe children’s experiences of the New Towns due to the abundance of green space and well-regarded educational and sporting facilities. Baker says, ‘many parents are very grateful and happy to rear children in such an environment’. Yet, consideration must also be given to the needs of older people, as Denington notes that in Stevenage, ‘old people have come more slowly than has been desirable’.  

Connectivity is also essential to the success of New Towns, enabling convenient access to everyday essentials and amenities, either through opportunities for active travel or public transport. Both Kathleen Baker and Gillian Pitt reflect on the need for public transport between the New Towns' neighbourhoods and, crucially, the necessity for these services to already be in place when residents start to move in.  

Finally, social infrastructure that supports community cohesion is essential to creating a thriving New Town. Evelyn Denington notes the importance of providing a community centre at the early stage of development. Kathleen Baker mentions the ‘abundance of voluntary organisations’ in Stevenage and their role in fostering community. Furthermore, both Kathleen Baker and Gillian Pitt mention the importance of providing New Town residents with cultural activities such as theatres, cinemas, restaurants, and town centres due to their role in creating a sense of place as well as being key sites where connections are made and nurtured.  

‘A lot has been learnt from experience, and it is with an eye to the lessons we offer that much is made of the failings of our town and the achievements taken for granted’ – Gillian Pitt on Crawley 

There are many lessons to be learnt from the post-war New Towns. The reflections of some of the women who either helped shape or lived in the early New Towns can provide valuable insight as we think about what the New Towns of the 21st Century look and feel like.