Alan MABIN (PhD Simon Fraser, MA Wits, MSAPI) is Emeritus Professor at the School of Architecture and Planning, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, which he directed from 2005 to 2010. He worked in a variety of departments and schools at Wits from 1981 till 2013. Alan has research experience in Brasil, France, Tanzania and South Africa as well as NGO, post apartheid government, and consulting experience. He was a co-founder in 1985 of Planact (NGO) with which he remains associated, played roles in local government negotiations in the early 1990s, was a member and deputy chairperson of the PWV [Gauteng] Demarcation Board 1995-97, and a member and Deputy Chairperson of the Development and Planning Commission 1997-2001. His papers relate mostly to these activities.