Ian Nairn. The Man Who Fought The Town Planners

[@neilsaunders6009]

Ian Nairn was a genius. In his own way, he was a poet.

[@keithtanner2806]

Iain Nairn was my hero, at the time he published “Outrage” I was a junior town planner in Blackburn working on the redevelopment of the town centre. I hated that it would destroy the character of the very heart of my home town. The work taught me a great deal but I hated it so much that in 1960 I moved elsewhere. Subsequent visits to family confirmed my sadness at the destruction. However, I was astonished to learn that Nairn visited when the redevelopment was complete and pronounced it to be “good, of its type.” I think the observation was included in his sequel “Outrage Again”.

[@BrynBuck]

Assuming you mean Lancashire the real tragedy is the development of the 60s is now gone, as the next wave of planners try to "undo" it. I also left in despair at the bonkers ideas some were coming up with (I worked in their traffic section 2013-16).

[@DavidPeacock1972]

I always wondered why a relatively small town (City) needed such a large council building. I was raised in Accrington, Hyndburn council building (s) were small compared to Blackburn.

[@rju7hpjfj7fj89]

He'd go mental nowadays - drive-thru McDonald's everywhere + huge Asdas / Sports Direct in all towns.

[@The1Green4Man]

We truly have been Americanised under post-war American hegemony.

[@StoutProper]

American suburbanisation

[@begbieyabass]

I watched it, then watched it again. Thats how interesting i found it. Bravo

[@Packyboy]

What a wonderful program about a man whom I knew absolutely nothing about but now in a strange way I miss. well done Bill as well.👏👏👏👏👏

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

Another brilliant British documentary .

[@wolstenholme100]

What a brilliant 'find' and thanks for sharing. I am always on the look out for Nairn material. Nairn's North was my favourite series. What would he have made of modern over-signage and 'business parks', Amazon warehouses etc?!

[@roberth1322]

Nairn's London has recently been republished, but I've yet to be able to travel over to peek at what Ian exposes, due to...well, you know... I shall sometime - hope Nairn's Paris gets the same treatment, it's rare as hens' teeth

[@cfcuker]

What a sad tale, and what an empathetic character. I'm sure were he alive today he would be dumbfounded at the change in Britain's infrastructure. God bless Ian Nairn.

[@andyskelton7223]

An absolute superb film, thank you.

[@harri2626]

I remember seeing his TV programmes and feeling empathy with his viewpoint, as I was vaguely aware of the unsympathetic changes being perpetrated in the 1960s and 1970s. It is only in the last two decades that I now understand what he meant and how much heritage we have lost. It speaks volumes that the BBC was then prepared to air such programmes, when nowadays they would avoid anything controversial or against the establishment.

[@thespamdance311]

I’d never heard of Ian before watching this. Now I feel like he’s a friend, and sad that there weren’t more like him at the time..

[@johnappleby405]

Thanks for making this available. I don’t suppose anyone as original and worth listening to and at the same time awkward and stiff on camera would get anywhere near today’s media. Well narrated by Bill Paterson great contributions by Nairn’s peers and younger writers like Meades and Glancey.

[@SP-ny1fk]

I will not cease from Mental Fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand: Till we have built Jerusalem, In Englands green & pleasant Land.

[@russellfitzpatrick503]

I remember his programs very well, throughout the 70s. He proved that you don't need to be a fuddy-duddy, a toff, a Luddite to appreciate the lived-in of Britain's towns and cities. He, like many of us since, realise that we were cheated by the so-called intellectuals who just wanted change for change's sake, views that have since been proven false. RIP Ian Nairn.

[@jonathancrow2549]

Thankyou for posting this - it’s been off Iplayer for a while . We all need reminding of his existence and contribution to the worthwhile fight in standing up to the soulless sprawl which alas is relentless.

[@homahak]

A captivating chronicle of serial vandalism.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Watched this last night - a brilliant documentary about a fascinating man, who, sadly I’d not heard of prior to this. I share his love of Newcastle - I lived there for 4 years back in the 90s - a tremendous city, and one which I really must go back to soon! I remember seeing the recreation of the Royal Arcade beneath Swan House - I stumbled upon it during a Sunday afternoon walk - a strange plaster and paint replica with a sad newsagent as its only shop. As for Ian Nairn - what a tragic end to his life - change and the loss of heritage are always hard situations to deal with, if you love buildings and environments. I wonder what he’d have made of what happened to our inner cities following the more recent gentrification schemes in various places!

[@stevef9530]

I enjoyed Nairns work, even as a teenager in the 60s, the emotion was so strong and almost funny in a way. I moved to Normandy in 1990 because I wanted to live in the countryside. The postwar ’planners’ messed up the architecture (if you could call it that), and they also messed up the population levels, when they decided anyone could come and live here. Anything remotely attractive in England costs half a million quid, and even then you’re stuck with the posh brigade. In France it’s probably about like England in the 30s. I wanted to move back for a long time, but not anymore.

[@roberth1322]

Great doc on a very interesting man, thanks for putting it up, haven't seen it in ages. Love the fact that it's narrated by the ghost of Gordon Jackson. Completely agree with him too on the Emporium Arcade in Northampton, a rather lovely looking place, long gone now.

[@geeegs2725]

It took me ages to find it, as I'd missed its original airing on BBC, and it isn't on the iPlayer, in the end I found it on a Chinese video sharing service. Unfortunately I couldn't disable the subtitles. I really struggle to understand the logic behind tearing down beautiful looking buildings and replacing them with dull, Soviet-esque concrete structures

[@roberth1322]

@@geeegs2725 Glad to see it again, the man was a genuine visionary, certainly had his demons.

[@roberth1322]

@@AH-dj8mi Thanks AH - I recently managed to find Nairn's Paris, which I'd love to be able to use eventually next time I'm there. Watching the very poignant end of it again, I do wonder if Jonathan Glancey ever touched that rather nice looking pint of Guinness

[@simonhodgetts6530]

@@geeegs2725the subtitles were very handy - I watched whilst suffering an ear infection!

[@andrea22213]

Nairn's London is such an enjoyable book. You don't even need to know the places featured. He seems to have especially loved Edwardian gin palaces. Cheers Ian.

[@Domdeone1]

Just come across him, heard of AC Taylor & Benjamin but l am 56, older than he was, passing away. Love his reaction to the mediocre & ugly, can't help but think he was looking for another era, before his time. A more magnificent one

[@ericchristen2623]

Agree 100%! Most of the new buildings in England after WW2 could be considered as brutal graffiti or vandalism.

[@andrewharrison8975]

God, Nairn was right! I started saying what he says about ‘modern’ mass architecture at about the same time ( I am younger) but just didn’t have his genius for description- yes, post war mass-building projects should NOT have put in the hands of architects who were inclined to ‘go off on one’. Remember, most successful vernacular architecture was usually the product of local builders using pattern books for detail, but had a bloody better idea of style and and a practical knowledge of disposition of space then a whole waggon full of so-called architects. Things were always better when more sympathetic architects consulted with putative residents who were gong to have live in properties. ‘Projects’ should also be treated with suspicion as planners and architects usually are working in diametrically opposite criteria, but both marred by not having. Clue how the building(s) will sit in the landscape, but let’s not get into corporate corruption; look at what happened to to the redevelopment Deptford in the ‘70s, and the residents are still stuck with blight for sometime to come!

[@jakecavendish3470]

He lived opposite me. Very shy in real life, and seemed very unhappy

[@alzeNL]

Never heard of Ian Nairn before watching this as it appeared in my recommended. What a fantastic documentary - thoroughly enjoyed and no doubt will find out more about this brilliant man, Ian Nairn - what a visionary.

[@Factory051]

Go pay your respects if you care. The leafy suburbs aren't too shabby. Mind you, they're nothing like Newcastle. Bless you Ian, RIP.

[@mdhazeldine]

Saw this ages ago on iPlayer. Thanks for posting it up. It was good to see it again. He was a very thoughtful man with some really interesting viewpoints and I love his passion, even if it was tainted with sadness at times.

[@mpersad]

A man for whom I have the most enormous respect. A true original, who's opinions I continue to espouse.

[@khalidalali186]

Thanks for the upload. Watched it twice in a row on the very same day. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@TreffpunktZoo]

Thanks for posting this, brilliant stuff.

[@aidy6000]

I wonder how he would feel about today's steel & glass horrors

[@somnathsinha872]

Peter Blake also had some strong comments about America "Gods Own Junkyard". Throwaway culture.

[@aaarrrggghhhh]

I wonder what he would have to say about modern London?

[@Dadopersoblueboots]

Loughborough . The council planers destroy this lovely town. And put concrete blocks over it.

[@Backwardlooking]

Watched his programmes as a teenager.

[@robtyman4281]

He was right all along.....and yet even today, some still dismiss him or deride him as a fringe person with minority views. Most people at the time probably agreed with him. Now though, we're repeating the mistakes of the 60's and 70's - but with even worse quality buildings that will be torn down by the 2050's. Seems like we just dont learn from history.

[@begbieyabass]

deffinatly was ahead of his time. I saw him and his sidekicks in the Bull & Bush pub in Manchester one afternoon in May, which is a beautiful time to explore the parks and gardens in Lancashire.

[@theelitegamers1235]

Brilliant

[@crispybits3765]

Thank you so much for putting this up. One of my favourite documentaries from recent years. From 48:00 onwards this becomes incredibly sad, and Ian's heartbreaking eulogy from the pulpit of St Saviour Dean Road gets me everytime. I think we should all share Ian's outrage at the post war demolition frenzy. Whilst many areas of our cities desperately needed modernisation, to provide decent housing and infrastructure, much of what was done also felt indiscriminate. I live in Sheffield, and although the Luftwaffe did a good job of flattening large areas of the city centre, the council made sure the job was finished over the next few decades. Bulldozing countless gorgeous old buildings and replacing them with brutalist eyesores, many of which have thankfully now gone as well. How very short sighted. The character of the city changed forever, as did the experience of those who visited it, of which the desire to has understandably ebbed away. Such a shame.

[@Factory051]

Sad but incredibly poignant.

[@danielgardecki1046]

I recently added *The Flight from Utopia: Forty Years of Northern Townscape* (1985) 3 episode series to *IMDB.* The third episode (which the people who have posted about it don't seem to realise exists) seems to be missing online in video form, however there's a lot of *Yorkshire* locations in episodes 1 and 2. I'll be adding the locations for episode 2 soon when I can be bothered, as searching for the specific locations in episode 1 took long enough. I've added a few more long-forgotten documentaries about Northern towns and cities recently, however most of those are even harder to find in video form, as they're locked away in various archives which only the media can access.

[@begbieyabass]

The English and there Classes, I'v never fully understood It's like the Indian Raj

[@Hartley_Hare]

@@begbieyabass 'Their,' you splendid darling. And you can't understand it unless you live it.

[@anthonykennedy5324]

Ian Nairn was a wonderful interpreter of the English built environment. The English seem to have a genius for interpretation.....Jack Hargreaves (country), David Attenborough ( wilderness), that Polish bloke (art) and the other fellow who did Civilization. The list may go on, but I can't. Thanks for the education.

[@Khayyam-vg9fw]

Alistair Cooke on America and John Berger on art.

[@robtyman4281]

​@@Khayyam-vg9fw....I think he was referring to art critics Waldemar Januszczek; and Alan Clarke (Civilisation) respectively.

[@Khayyam-vg9fw]

@@robtyman4281 The reference to Kenneth Clarke made me assume he meant Jacob Bronowski, who - strictly speaking - dealt with science and technology rather than art.

[@anonUK]

Jacob Bronowski (The Ascent of Man, science and tech.) Kenneth Clark (not the ex-Tory Chancellor)- Civilisation (art) Both were commissioned by David Attenborough to show off the then-new colour on BBC2 and hopefully encourage some well-heeled people in London at least to buy a colour TV.

[@stevef9530]

@@robtyman4281Alan Clarke was inside right for Leeds United as I remember. Or lead singer of the Hollies. I think you mean Kenneth Clark 🙂

[@user-bf3pc2qd9s]

Still have my 80s reprint of Nairn's London that I found extraordinarily exciting when I got it as a present. Thank you for this

[@j_vasey]

I particularly remember him in Newcastle, he must have been horrified. Swan house was and is particularly horrible.

[@englishdogs]

He wouldn't survive a walk through contemporary Manchester.

[@shawnyt6368]

Southern Ontario....pay attention to this one

[@mr.145]

I Wonder what Ian would have thought of Dundee's V and A museum,having a non descript,square box ,more suited to an edge of town industrial estate,built right in front of it,spoiling the view from the city center? One of the dumbest things built in modern times.

[@stewartellinson8846]

whereas i think it's a glittering jewel.

[@robertedwards3551]

The only problem with Nairn was that he seemed to be a professional complainer, which is very British, and never offered alternatives or engaged in discussion with those who might. I feel the same about Jonathan Meades, brilliant but incomplete.

[@crispybits3765]

Can anyone help ID some of the music used on this documentary please? I am particularly keen to find the piano piece that starts at 51:30. I feel like I know what it is, but I just can't ID it. Thanks

[@crispybits3765]

For anyone interested, I actually found the song featured at 51:30. It's called "Arctic" by Al Lethbridge.

[@KKTR3]

What do they think it is passionfruit?

[@Snwman_]

Gee, what would he make of the 'modern' architecture?

[@brianwhelan5382]

Ian must have been inspired by the Tartarian architecture that is to be seen all over England and Europe and the world. Consider how monumental, how beautifully crafted the old buildings are, who built them, there are many videos on you tube outlining the Tartarian contribution to great buildings. The current buildings are examples of brutalism.

[@khutt19]

Maybe he and Fred Dibnah would have gotten on well.

[@KKTR3]

It’s incredibly sad, there’s only 105 likes I suppose what do you expect in X factor world

[@neilsaunders9309]

Nairn said "categorise" not "characterise".

[@deepdiver51]

He must be turning in his grave. Lazy farmers selling off their farms to greedy property developers and builders.

[@KKTR3]

Can you get rid of the subtitles, please does anybody know?

[@Packyboy]

no, the subtitles are there for people who don’t understand what was once termed” the queens English.”

[@geeegs2725]

Regrettably not. Not until the BBC release the official version without subs.

[@KKTR3]

95. Likes doesn’t that demonstrate more than anything what’s wrong with this country what’s wrong with the world?

[@andrewallen9993]

Good lord! Not a single diverse enriching person in the background of these pictures.

[@DevonMiniFlicks]

Is that all you got from this? I feel sorry for you

[@andrewallen9993]

@@DevonMiniFlicks Why are you such a racist? Don't you appreciate how diverse and enriched the UK is?

[@DDandrums]

@@andrewallen9993god.

[@Hartley_Hare]

It's become a small, mean, cheap and ugly country. Nairn's misfortune was that he saw it all too clearly.

[@Factory051]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqfSiX1njspsiJY

[@stewartellinson8846]

Fundementally, Ian Nairn was a priveleged bloke who didn't get how other people could need stuff and how people might need "ordinary" houses or places to work. All too often, what he offered was complaining about people doing stuff - not actually doing stuff himself, but complaining about other people who did. I like him, but all too often he offers no real solutions, only criticisms and he's the origin of the modern problem - the misty nostalgic who does nothing but moan.

[@slome815]

That's not really the impression I get from this video. He does acknowledge good modern projects, and clearly he puts a good emphasis on everything being nearby, like housing intergrated with shops, pub, retirement home. And walkable cities are now almost universally seen as a good idea again. Also, the constant demolitions of old, beautiful buildings do make everything more dreary. I understand his nostalgia very well.

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

British houses are beautiful.

[@dalek3086]

ha ha ha