Colin Ward Biography

Colin Ward was a seminal British anarchist writer whose work championed non-hierarchical forms of social organization and proposed anarchist solutions to housing and planning challenges. He critically examined issues of informal settlement and advocated for flexible, self-build housing approaches, drawing inspiration from architects like Walter Segal. Ward believed in dismantling authoritarian structures, suggesting that decentralized, face-to-face community groups offered the best defense against bureaucratic tendencies. His writings consistently explored how to empower individuals and communities through self-management and mutual aid, particularly in the context of land use and housing.