Abercrombie, (Leslie) Patrick (1879–1957)

English architect. A pioneer of British town planning, he was involved in replanning British cities, including London, after damage in World War II. He initiated the new town policy, which drew on the idea of the garden city. He was knighted in 1945.

In 1913 Abercrombie won a competition for replanning Dublin. With J H Forshaw (1895–1973), he prepared the County of London Plan (1943) and Greater London Plan (1944); detailed, comprehensive schemes which were illustrated on an unprecedented scale. The term green belt, an area designated not to be built on, generally refers to the ‘outer ring’ he proposed around London to prevent urban sprawl; new towns were envisaged beyond this boundary. He also created plans for Edinburgh, Plymouth, Hull, the West Midlands, Clydeside, Bath, Bristol, Sheffield, and Bournemouth.

Abercrombie was born in Ashton-upon-Mersey. He was professor of civic design at Liverpool University from 1915 to 1935, and professor of town planning at London University from 1935 to 1946. His writings include Town and Country Planning (1933).

His schemes aimed to improve means of transport, distribution of population and industry, conditions of housing, and provision of open spaces, with regard for the welfare of the people and the preservation or creation of amenities.