Metropolitan Planning in Britain is the first comparative analysis and assessment of metropolitan areas and their strategic planning for almost two decades. Changes in population distribution, styles of local government, business practices, and attitudes to the environment have all had an impact on cities in recent years which planners and other policy makers must take into consideration. Based on a series of research projects and the activities of a study group supported by the Regional Studies Association, the book examines in detail nine major urban areas, their specific characters and requirements, and how metropolitan planning is adapting to fulfil those requirements. It also discuses the possible future evolution of metropolitan planning, especially in the light of new regional arrangements and devolution.

This is the fourth edition of the classic text for students of urban and regional planning. It gives a historical overview of the developments and changes in the theory and practice of planning, throughout the entiretwentieth century. This extensively revised edition follows the successful format of previous editions. Specific reference is made to the most important British developments in recent times, including the devolution of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the establishment of the Mayor of London and the dominant urban sustainability paradigm. Planning in Western Europe, since 1945, now incorporates new material on EU-wide issues as well as updated country specific sections. Planning in the United States since 1945, now discusses the continuing trends of urban dispersal and social polarisation, as well as initiatives in land use planning and transportation policies. The book looks at the nature of the planning process at the end of the twentieth century and looks forward to the twenty-first century.

This title was first published in 2000: Providing a review and assessment of a number of the major features evident in regional planning and development in Europe, this volume contains a series of regional case studies, drawn from current research in various European countries. These illustrate a broad range of theoretical views, which offer perspectives on the operation of the EU Structural Funds and regional restructuring, development and key concerns evident in spatial planning an environmental management and lessons from past experience. The editors collate views to arrive at challenging conclusions and suggestions for future policy priorities.

A major new introduction to the UK planning system. It outlines the evolution and use of the new spatial planning approach which is increasingly adopted at all levels of the UK planning system from European through to the national, regional, sub-regional and local level.

In recent years, the United Kingdom has become a more and more divided society with inequality between the regions as marked as it has ever been. In a landmark analysis of the current state of Britain’s regional development, Philip McCann utilises current statistics, examines historical trends and makes pertinent international comparisons to assess the state of the nation. The UK Regional–National Economic Problem brings attention to the highly centralised, top down governance structure that the UK deploys, and demonstrates that it is less than ideally placed to rectify these inequalities. The ‘North-South’ divide in the UK has never been greater and the rising inequalities are evident in almost all aspects of the economy including productivity, incomes, employment status and wealth. Whilst the traditional economic dominance of London and its hinterland has continued along with relative resilience in the South West of England and Scotland, in contrast the Midlands, the North of England, Northern Ireland and Wales lag behind by most measures of prosperity. This inequality is greatly limiting national economic performance and the fact that Britain has a below average standard of living by European and OECD terms has been ignored. The UK’s economic and governance inequality is unlikely to be fundamentally rebalanced by the current governance and connectivity trends, although this definitive study suggests that some areas of improvement are possible if they are well implemented. This pivotal analysis is essential reading for postgraduate students in economics and urban studies as well as researchers and policy makers in local and central government.

This comprehensive introduction to the concepts and theory of regional planning in the UK. Drawing on examples from throughout the UK is the essential, up-to-date text for students interested in all aspects of this increasingly influential subject.