Patrick Geddes

The essential problem in a study of Geddes is that it is difficult to cite any one particular doctrine providing his final definition of planning. He did not develop his theories in any one single systematic work. He left articles, lectures, pamphlets and innumerable reports on the subject out of which only a handfull have been published. They constitute in effect illustrations of an unwritten theory accompanied by brilliant comments. Neither did Geddes leave a legacy of towns built according to his ideas which could testify to his ability and soundness of doctrine. Indeed for almost a lifetime he worked out a process of ellucidation and realisation of his ideal of planning. It is in his life's work that one must search for answers - to comprehend Geddes as a planner one must investigate Geddes activities as a man of action.This study falls naturally into clearly defined categories. Part I will be concerned with the diversity of Geddes activities. This will be followed by an examination of his early planning ventures in Cyprus, and Dunfermline together with the formulation of his system of correlative thinking. Part III will illustrate his ten years of planning in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. The Geddesian philosophy of planning will then be reviewed in part IV followed by an examination of the relevance of Geddes to planning in his day and ours. The source material for this work is the collection of Geddes manuscripts housed in the University of Strathclyde. Gaps in the original Geddes manuscripts have been made good by transcript material relating to Geddes's work in India, Cyprus and Palestine. The analysis of the Geddes manuscripts which was begun in 1967 has been sponsored and supported financially by the Corporation of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde and without their support this study could not have been concluded. The writer is also indebted to the many correspondents who have provided additional information and especially to the late Arthur Geddes (Department of Geography, Edinburgh University) and his wife Janine Geddes. A final word of thanks is owed to Mrs. O. Prior and Miss E. Keddie who have typed the manuscript and to my colleagues in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (especially Professor R. E. Nicoll) who have encouraged this research.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral-pg

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Strathclyde

Year dc:date.issued

1970

Author dc:creator

• Green, Peter

DOI

10.48730/w6db-n263

Identifier

uk.bl.ethos.761422
T14(1970)

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:strathclyde:2n49t1699