A Christmas carol: Planning Past, present and future THE PRESENTATION

Abstract

This presentation, A Christmas Carol: Planning Past, Present and Future, uses the narrative structure and imagery of Charles Dickens’ famous story as a metaphor for reflecting on the evolution of urban and spatial planning. Through a sequence of visual references and thematic contrasts, Cliff Hague explores the legacy of planning traditions, the social and political transformations that have shaped contemporary cities, and the major challenges facing the future of planning practice and education. The presentation addresses issues such as overcrowding, housing, infrastructure, social inequality, mobility, environmental change, climate justice, and the shifting meaning of spatial planning in different international contexts. By moving between the “ghosts” of planning past, present, and future, the lecture offers a critical reflection on the responsibilities of planners in responding to urban change, social justice, and sustainability. It also highlights the importance of protecting planning education and maintaining the civic role of planning in an increasingly complex and unequal world.

This version is particularly valuable as it is accompanied by Cliff Hague’s own recorded narration, offering a more personal and engaging interpretation of the lecture.