Governments, consultants and expert bodies in the physical reconstruction of the City of London in the 1940s

Abstract

German air-raids during the early days of the Second World War destroyed much of the City of London. Because of its importance as the financial and commercial centre, its reconstruction planning attracted nationwide attention, and the plan of 1947 by consultants Charles Holden and William Holford has been regarded very highly with its drastic planning principles and new techniques. This article presents an inside story of the making of the plans and policies for the reconstruction of the Square Mile, which highlights the importance (and the limit) of the role played by Central Government to force the City Fathers to appoint consultants and take their advice.