London has its social problems - this is evident from the increasingly unpleasant experience of daily life in the capital, from homelessness and unemployment to frustrating transport facilities and the general bad quality of the environment. However it is not only citizens of London who are suffering but the business community as well. London is having to face increasing competition from other European cities. There is growing appreciation and debate about these problems from companies, political parties, local government and community organisations. This book provides a solid analysis of what has gone wrong and explores policy directions that could make the city a more humane and livable place. Beginning with a discussion of the basic elements of a home, a job and a means of travelling around, it becomes clear that even in these essential aspects London is failing. A feature of the crisis is an increasingly divided city with conditions for the poorer citizens worsening all the time. The author's consider the quality of the environment. They examine issues such as the greening of the city and the need for sustainability, and the privatization and dehumanization of public spaces.

Originally published in 1991, Urban Planning Under Thatcherism links theory and practice to assess the changes to the planning system since 1979. It analyses the major trends by investigating the individual modifications in the legislation and the new initiatives which have introduced procedures to by-pass the normal system. Such changes are fundamental not only to the built environment but to the quality of urban life and ultimately to the nature of society. The book argues that this orientation is the result of a policy shift from local democracy to centralisation and from the criteria of the public interest to those of the market.

Metropolitan Governance and Spatial Planning explores the relationship between metropolitan decision-making and strategies to co-ordinate spatial policy. This relationship is examined across 20 cities of Europe and the similarities and differences analysed.
Cities are having to formulate their urban policies in a very complex and turbulent environment. They are faced with numerous new pressures and problems and these often create contradictory conditions. The book provides a theoretical framework for exploring these issues and links this to a detailed investigation of each city.

In the context of globalisation, cities in the last twenty years have experienced new patterns of activity and these usually transcend political boundaries. The management of these changes therefore requires an effort of co-ordination and different cities have found different approaches.
However the institutional setting itself has not remained static. The nation states in Europe have handed over many responsibilities to the European Union while also increasing devolution to regions and cities. Government has therefore become a more complex multi-level activity.
There has also been the move from government to governance. Many different public, quasi-public and private bodies are now involved in making decisions that affect urban development. Metropolitan governance is therefore also a complex multi-actor process.
In these conditions of fragmented governance and the widening spatial networking of urban development, the issue of policy co-ordination become ever more important. The exploration of the 20 cities shows that many face similar difficulties while some also provide interesting examples of innovative practice. The book concludes that the way forward is to find strategies to link the different spheres of metropolitan action through 'organising connectivity'.

Cities covered: London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Stockholm, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hannover, Stuttgart, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Venice, Milan, Paris, Brussels, Aix/Marseille, Barcelona, Madrid.

Originally published in 1991, Urban Planning Under Thatcherism links theory and practice to assess the changes to the planning system since 1979. It analyses the major trends by investigating the individual modifications in the legislation and the new initiatives which have introduced procedures to by-pass the normal system. Such changes are fundamental not only to the built environment but to the quality of urban life and ultimately to the nature of society. The book argues that this orientation is the result of a policy shift from local democracy to centralisation and from the criteria of the public interest to those of the market.

Urban planning is undergoing a period of transformation across Europe, with a major trend towards increased urban competition, national deregulation and greater private sector influence.
Urban Planning in Europe is the first comprehensive analysis of the influence of countries is developed, presenting the similarities and differences of each country's national planning system. The authors use detailed case studies to explore planning policies in a range of European cities, and discuss the social and environmental objectives that influence today's urban planner.
Urban Planning in Europe is an essential guide to contemporary European planning projects and highlighting opportunities for innovation which contain vital lessons for the future of urban decision making.

Urban planning is undergoing a period of transformation across Europe, with a major trend towards increased urban competition, national deregulation and greater private sector influence. Urban Planning in Europe is the first comprehensive analysis of the influence of countries is developed, presenting the similarities and differences of each country's national planning system. The authors use detailed case studies to explore planning policies in a range of European cities, and discuss the social and environmental objectives that influence today's urban planner. Urban Planning in Europe is an essential guide to contemporary European planning projects and highlighting opportunities for innovation which contain vital lessons for the future of urban decision making.

London has its social problems - this is evident from the increasingly unpleasant experience of daily life in the capital, from homelessness and unemployment to frustrating transport facilities and the general bad quality of the environment. However it is not only citizens of London who are suffering but the business community as well. London is having to face increasing competition from other European cities. There is growing appreciation and debate about these problems from companies, political parties, local government and community organisations. This book provides a solid analysis of what has gone wrong and explores policy directions that could make the city a more humane and livable place. Beginning with a discussion of the basic elements of a home, a job and a means of travelling around, it becomes clear that even in these essential aspects London is failing. A feature of the crisis is an increasingly divided city with conditions for the poorer citizens worsening all the time. The author's consider the quality of the environment. They examine issues such as the greening of the city and the need for sustainability, and the privatization and dehumanization of public spaces.

Globalization was the buzzword of the last decade. Advances in communication technology, computing and air travel have all contributed to the establishment of what has been referred to as a 'network society' that encompasses the globe. Such arguments clearly have a significance on planning - an activity which has been concerned with controlling and shaping the use of space. This volume brings together contributions from across the world in order to address some of the questions that arise from such global changes. The opening section addresses the globalization debate directly, raising some theoretical issues and exploring the planning implications across a range of world cities. This is followed by an exploration of the way the theoretical debate about planning may need to advance to encompass contemporary forces. A number of more specific accounts addressing the need for adaptation are offered. The final section focuses on two aspects - housing and sustainability - which persist as 'wicked problems' and are likely to remain at the top of the agenda in the third millennium.

Globalization was the buzzword of the last decade. Advances in communication technology, computing and air travel have all contributed to the establishment of what has been referred to as a 'network society' that encompasses the globe. Such arguments clearly have a significance on planning - an activity which has been concerned with controlling and shaping the use of space. This volume brings together contributions from across the world in order to address some of the questions that arise from such global changes. The opening section addresses the globalization debate directly, raising some theoretical issues and exploring the planning implications across a range of world cities. This is followed by an exploration of the way the theoretical debate about planning may need to advance to encompass contemporary forces. A number of more specific accounts addressing the need for adaptation are offered. The final section focuses on two aspects - housing and sustainability - which persist as 'wicked problems' and are likely to remain at the top of the agenda in the third millennium.

Metropolitan Governance and Spatial Planning explores the relationship between metropolitan decision-making and strategies to co-ordinate spatial policy. This relationship is examined across 20 cities of Europe and the similarities and differences analysed.
Cities are having to formulate their urban policies in a very complex and turbulent environment. They are faced with numerous new pressures and problems and these often create contradictory conditions. The book provides a theoretical framework for exploring these issues and links this to a detailed investigation of each city.

In the context of globalisation, cities in the last twenty years have experienced new patterns of activity and these usually transcend political boundaries. The management of these changes therefore requires an effort of co-ordination and different cities have found different approaches.
However the institutional setting itself has not remained static. The nation states in Europe have handed over many responsibilities to the European Union while also increasing devolution to regions and cities. Government has therefore become a more complex multi-level activity.
There has also been the move from government to governance. Many different public, quasi-public and private bodies are now involved in making decisions that affect urban development. Metropolitan governance is therefore also a complex multi-actor process.
In these conditions of fragmented governance and the widening spatial networking of urban development, the issue of policy co-ordination become ever more important. The exploration of the 20 cities shows that many face similar difficulties while some also provide interesting examples of innovative practice. The book concludes that the way forward is to find strategies to link the different spheres of metropolitan action through 'organising connectivity'.