Alan Townsend, Professor Emeritus, concluded his career at Durham University, UK, 1967-2005 as Director of the International Centre for Regional Regeneration & Development Studies at the Stockton campus. After studying Geography at Cambridge, he learnt the means of monitoring regional economic development as Research Officer at the Board of Trade Regional Office, Manchester and their Office for Scotland, Glasgow. He first came to the Northeast to work on Teesside Survey and Plan, and proceeded to qualify as MRTPI (Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute). His writing on UK economic development, planning and transport included four other single or jointly authored books. He was Director of the North East Area Study and of Nomis, the National Online Manpower Information System. He was awarded Recognition of an Outstanding Contribution by the Regional Studies Association in 2019. His work as Councillor of the former Wear Valley District Council, 1994-2007 included being Chair of Planning, and of Regeneration. He was also Chair of the North East Regional Information Network, 2011-7 and at the time of writing is Vice Chair of the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and Secretary of the County Durham Fabian Society.

Alan.Townsend1939@gmail.com