Theory and practice in OR and town planning: a continuing creative synergy?

The paper looks at the parallel experiences of OR and town (land use) planning since the Second World War. The existence of three ‘waves of enthusiasm’ for planning in the UK is noted: from 1947; from mid-1960s to 1979; and currently from 1990 to date. The significant mutually beneficial synergy between OR and town planning theory and practice during the second of these periods is recounted. Subsequent, current, and potential future developments are reviewed, and the implications for OR and (especially) town planning of a lack of awareness of this history are discussed.