The daily observations of smoke and sulphur dioxide that have been taken over the past ten years at some 1200 sites throughout the United Kingdom for the National Survey of Air Pollution, have provided a great deal of information on pollution in towns. An examination of this material is made to assess changes that have been occurring in levels of pollution in relation to the changing pattern of fuel consumption, and is used in trying to forecast the position in the next 15 or 20 years. A comparison is also made between pollution in towns in different parts of the U.K. The question of what levels of pollution may be tolerated is also considered. The part that aerodynamicists, architects and town planners can play in reducing urban pollution is discussed and an attempt is made to see what guidance can be given to them so that as far as pollution is concerned, the new and renewed towns of the future may avoid the mistakes of the past and therefore not need the costly remedial measures that now have to be taken in towns built in the past.
