Michael Collins, a distinguished educator who shaped generations of planning professionals at University College London, has died at the age of 92. Known affectionately as Mike to colleagues and friends, he devoted the majority of his working life to teaching planning practice at UCL's Bartlett School of Planning, where he served for over three decades, including twenty years as director of studies.
Early Career in London Planning
Collins began his professional journey in 1956 when he joined the town planning division within the architects' department of London County Council. Born in Dagenham, Essex (now part of east London), to Thomas Collins, a finance director, and Bessie Collins (nee Fisher), a nurse, he attended Dartford Grammar School in Kent before earning a geography degree from Nottingham University.
During his early years with the London County Council, Collins worked primarily on developing comprehensive plans for the council's various projects, gaining practical experience that would later inform his academic work.
Academic Leadership at UCL
In 1964, Collins made the transition to academia, joining the Bartlett School of Planning at University College London. Throughout his tenure, he participated in numerous government-funded research projects, many focusing on evaluating the effectiveness of statutory planning systems when addressing complex urban challenges.
His academic contributions extended beyond the classroom as he helped shape the curriculum and direction of planning education at one of Britain's most prestigious institutions.
Post-Retirement Activities
After retiring from UCL in 1998, Collins continued his involvement in the planning field as a consultant, specializing in auditing environmental statements and addressing strategic planning issues. In 2017, he relocated to St Andrews in Fife with his long-term partner, Sheila Cassells.
Even in retirement, Collins remained engaged with planning matters, becoming involved in several local cases in St Andrews, including a controversial proposed development at Abbey Park.
Continued Scholarship and Personal Pursuits
Collins maintained an active research agenda throughout his later years, publishing two significant works during his nineties. His final publications examined the hierarchical development of shopping in south London during the 19th century and documented the history of town planning education at UCL—a field to which he had contributed substantially.
Beyond his professional commitments, Collins took up golf in his later years, enjoying fair-weather rounds with his partner Sheila.
Personal Life and Legacy
Collins is survived by his partner Sheila Cassells; his daughters, Susan and Charlotte, from his marriage to Daphne Baldwin, which ended in divorce; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His legacy extends through the countless planning professionals he educated and the institutional knowledge he helped preserve through his historical research on planning education.
