In this episode of the A is for Architecture Podcast, architectural historian at the Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh, Dr Alistair Fair discusses his latest book, Building Modern Scotland: A Social and Architectural History of the New Towns, 1947–1997, which he co-authored with Lynn Abrams, Kat Breen, Miles Glendinning, Diane Watters and Valerie Wright, and published with Bloomsbury in February this year.

Scotland’s new towns—Glenrothes, Cumbernauld, Livingston, Irvine, and East Kilbride—were bold experiments in urban planning, designed to provide modern, thriving communities in the wake of the Second World War. We discuss the why and how of New Townism, and beyond the concrete and masterplans, reflect on what these places meant and how they shaped the daily life of the people who lived in them. In the end, as always, did they work? And what do they suggest about the contemporary and future of urban growth?

Alistair & Co’s extensive research and storytelling uncovers the vision, politics, and lived experiences behind these remarkable developments. Have a good listen – Alistair is a wonderful communicator – and find out.

Alistair is on Instagram, and above at work. The book is linked above. 

#ArchitecturePodcast #BuildingModernScotland #newtowns #ScottishNewTowns #UrbanPlanning #ArchitectureHistory #ModernistArchitecture #ScottishHistory #PostWarDesign #AlistairFair

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Music credits: ⁠Bruno Gillick