AN IMPERIAL ASPECT - THE AUSTRALASIAN TOWN-PLANNING TOUR OF 1914-15

The international diffusion of town planning theory, techniques and id eology was facilitated by many agencies in the early twentieth century , with lecture tours a popular mechanism. Driven by a mix of evangelis m and imperialism, the Garden Cities and Town Planning Association (GC TPA) became a logical focus for the export of British planning ideals relating to better housing and planned local environments. The Austral asian Town Planning Tour of 1914-15 organised by Charles Reade on beha lf of the GCTPA was a major event in the development of Australian pla nning thought. There has, however, been no extended analysis of its or igins, organisation and impacts. Drawing on contemporary sources, that task is attempted here. Discussion is set against the backdrop of the rise and decline of British imperialistic influence.