Donald Gibson (architect)
Encyclopedia
Sir Donald Edward Evelyn Gibson CBE
was Coventry
’s first City Architect
and Planning Officer, from 1938-1954; most famous for the postwar redevelopment of Coventry city centre following the Coventry Blitz
.
before attending the Manchester School of Architecture. He spent his fourth year at Harvard,Andrew Saint, ‘Gibson, Sir Donald Edward Evelyn (1908–1991)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 training in Boston, USA, before returning to the UK to qualify in 1932.
The re-planning of Coventry City Centre began before the Blitz in 1940-1951; indeed, Gibson produced the initial plan to rebuild part of the city in early 1940, in order to resolve the problems of overcrowding and congestion of the medieval town centre. It was, however, the extensive wartime damage that enabled the Gibson plan to be turned into reality.
The Gibson plan involved a re-thinking of the city centre, introducing what was then a brand new town planning concept, with the main premise being a separation of motor traffic and pedestrians. Such traffic-free shopping precinct was the first in Europe, and was seen as a “truly pioneering design” in its day. In addition, Gibson was responsible for the first rooftop parking plus the development of a civic theatre (the Belgrade Theatre
) and the circular market.
The Gibson plan saw extensive consultation with local people, with the “proposals and suggestions for the physical reconstruction and planning of the City of Coventry” set out in a book entitled The Future Coventry, published by the Corporation of Coventry. It was also supported by the Government, where the then Minister of Works, Lord Reith commented, “Coventry would be a test case, not for me and my authority, but for the Government and for England”.
Gibson was succeeded by Arthur Ling who was City Architect from 1955 until 1964.
The redevelopment of the City was featured in a special edition of Architectural Design published in December 1958.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
was Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
’s first City Architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and Planning Officer, from 1938-1954; most famous for the postwar redevelopment of Coventry city centre following the Coventry Blitz
Coventry Blitz
The Coventry blitz was a series of bombing raids that took place in the English city of Coventry. The city was bombed many times during the Second World War by the German Air Force...
.
Education
Gibson was educated at Manchester grammar schoolManchester Grammar School
The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England...
before attending the Manchester School of Architecture. He spent his fourth year at Harvard,Andrew Saint, ‘Gibson, Sir Donald Edward Evelyn (1908–1991)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 training in Boston, USA, before returning to the UK to qualify in 1932.
Redevelopment of Coventry
At the age of 29, Gibson was appointed as Coventry’s first City Architect and Planning Officer.The re-planning of Coventry City Centre began before the Blitz in 1940-1951; indeed, Gibson produced the initial plan to rebuild part of the city in early 1940, in order to resolve the problems of overcrowding and congestion of the medieval town centre. It was, however, the extensive wartime damage that enabled the Gibson plan to be turned into reality.
The Gibson plan involved a re-thinking of the city centre, introducing what was then a brand new town planning concept, with the main premise being a separation of motor traffic and pedestrians. Such traffic-free shopping precinct was the first in Europe, and was seen as a “truly pioneering design” in its day. In addition, Gibson was responsible for the first rooftop parking plus the development of a civic theatre (the Belgrade Theatre
Belgrade Theatre
The Belgrade Theatre is a live performance venue seating 858 and situated in Coventry, England. It was the first civic theatre to be built after the Second World War in Britain and as such was more than a place of entertainment...
) and the circular market.
The Gibson plan saw extensive consultation with local people, with the “proposals and suggestions for the physical reconstruction and planning of the City of Coventry” set out in a book entitled The Future Coventry, published by the Corporation of Coventry. It was also supported by the Government, where the then Minister of Works, Lord Reith commented, “Coventry would be a test case, not for me and my authority, but for the Government and for England”.
Gibson was succeeded by Arthur Ling who was City Architect from 1955 until 1964.
The redevelopment of the City was featured in a special edition of Architectural Design published in December 1958.