Colin Ward was known as the ‘gentle anarchist’. Through his immense work over many decades on towns and cities, transport, the theory and practice of anarchism, housing, work, play, children, environmental education and much more he influenced and inspired many people. This collection of new essays – published for the centenary of his birth – shows the way Ward’s ideas contributed to the lives and work of those who knew him as a colleague as well as those who read his books and articles and put his ideas into practice. Writers recall fondly how his personal advice and friendship provided invaluable support and often lifelong guidance to making better places, communities and societies. We publish them as a tribute to a great writer and thinker and as a spur to continue his work.

Contributors: Catherine Burke – Tessa Coombes – Rob Cowan – Luca Csepely-Knorr – Gillian Darley – Paul Dobraszczyk – Alice Ferguson – Ted Fowler – Dan Hill – Andrew Kelly – Ruth Kinna – David Knight – Roman Krznaric – Martin Parker – Sol Pérez Martínez – Amber Roberts – Sheila Rowbotham – Sophie Scott-Brown – Martin Stott – Stuart White – Ken Worpole – Patrick Wright

Andrew Kelly Is the former director of Bristol Ideas (1993-2024), the Festival of Ideas, and the Festival of the Future City. He is the author of many books on film history, the future of cities, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Bristol.