Margaret Feilman: Planning and Urban Geography in Western Australia

Margaret Anne Feilman (OBE) was one of Perth's most influential town planners. Throughout her career she challenged existing structures not only within the planning profession but also within wider society. In many ways, Feilman can be regarded as a pioneer of planning in Western Australia, having contributed significantly to the state's urban geography and built heritage (Melotte 1993).Although now retired from professional planning, a review of Feilman's career in, and her approach to planning, together with the implications that this has for Western Australians, can providevaluable insights for planners and geographers today. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to review the contribution of Margaret Feilman to urban geography and planning in Western Australia.This paper is largely based on an interview conducted with Ms Feilman in early November 2001. During the interview Ms Feilman offered not only anecdotes of her experience as a planner but also some invaluable advice for students of geography and planning. The paper begins by describing Feilman's background and education. It then considers her contribution to urban planning in Perth and some of Western Australia's country towns, before examining the critical role that she played in the protection of urban heritage.