The Professional Authority of the Town Planner

i. The difficulty of defining a profession is outlined and attempts to evaluate occupations against a model of professionalism are criticised. 'Trait' and 'functionalist' approaches to professionalism are discussed and the relationship between professional and client, and the independence of the professions are proposed as key concepts. ii. A review of the origins and development of modern British town planning in general, and of its professional organisation in particular. The second chapter argues that organisation followed the development of town planning as a Statutory activity, and that the practice of town planning is dependent upon government powers. The problems of autonomy from government and from other professions is examined. iii. Chapter three discusses professionalism in contemporary town planning, Current problems are examined and recent changes in town planning legislation are discussed, the phenomenon or opposition to plans by resident and community groups is introduced. iv. The choice of a case study and the methods of research are described, the case study is concerned with two inter-related planning disputes in an area of inner London which involved town planners from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the Greater London Council. The area is located and described and the events of the planning disputes are narrated and discussed. v. The theoretical implications of the case study are summarised, Aspects of the case study are generalised and related to the current position of professionals in local government. The political legitimacy of local government administration is discussed, and the implications or 'social planning' are evaluated