Attitudes towards Heritage in the Replanning in British Towns After the Second World War: The case of Plymouth, Coventry, and Canterbury

Rebuilding after catastrophes can be challenging in many ways. While many cities and areas today face or will face this task, the safeguarding of heritage and its significance will be shaped by the initial physical reconstruction. Drawing on past experiments and examples is therefore essential to achieving better solutions and a better understanding, not only in rebuilding destroyed and damaged areas but also in preserving memories and heritage. This research develops a methodological framework integrating archival analysis, cartography, and heritage assessment to examine planners' varied responses to surviving heritage and urban fabric, to analyse how reconstruction plans negotiated the coexistence of the old and new, and to evaluate the long-term effects of post-war planning on urban identity. Moreover, by utilising extensive archival materials, including council minutes, planning documents, aerial photographs, and wartime damage surveys, the study reconstructs the conditions of each city before and after the war, creating bomb-damage maps and distinguishing war damage from planners' interventions. Complementing this, the study uses the theories by Sitte, Mumford, Lynch, and Krier to evaluate the spatial and visual relationships between historic and new structures. Field observations and photographic analyses provide experiential insights, linking the physical transformation of urban environments with evolving public perceptions of heritage value. By applying this methodology to three cities in Britain, namely Plymouth, Coventry, and Canterbury, the study highlights shifts in heritage treatment and value, contributing to debates on heritage integration, authenticity, and the socio-political dimensions of planning.

The research demonstrates that post-war reconstruction was not solely about repairing physical damage but was also a deliberate effort to reimagine the city. In Plymouth, Abercrombie's bold replanning aimed to introduce order and modernity, often at the cost of the city's historic character. This approach, in some areas, sparked resistance from civic groups, who later influenced a more conservative attitude to heritage. Coventry's rebuilding, guided by local architects inspired by CIAM, Le Corbusier, and Mumford, involved an uneven combination of selective preservation and modern replanning, which resulted in an alienated and divided urban environment. Conversely, Canterbury adopted a more moderate approach, integrating heritage into its redevelopment, though this involved some compromises and alterations to its historic fabric. The findings reveal post-war reconstruction as a contested space for modernisation, preservation, and community identity. The study emphasises how the 'new' often took precedence over traditional urban characteristics. Yet public opposition,

conservation efforts, and subsequent policy changes demonstrate the ongoing importance of heritage, showing it to be a dynamic concept shaped by societal priorities. The lessons from these cities underscore the need to strike a balance between modern urban demands and historical continuity, providing guidance for planners, architects, and conservationists in reconciling development with preservation. This study advocates for a historically informed, community-oriented approach to reconstruction. It provides a methodological framework for understanding heritage and historic cities, as well as assessing the impacts of urban change on a city's character and its heritage.