Urban renewal, sustainable development, the contribution of our towns and cities to economic competitiveness, along with continuing concerns over social cohesion and social exclusion together present major challenges for policy makers, practitioners and academic analysts alike. Drawing on original research, this study presents information and analysis focused directly on these challenges. information and analysis from other sources, the report looks at: the dynamics of employment and population change including the challenges of household growth, urban expansion and new patterns of edge-city development; urban renaissance, urban renewal and the prospects for a turnaround in the fortunes of urban areas; patterns and processes of social exclusion and social polarisation, persisting even in the face of competitive success; the role of the new knowledge-based sectors including financial and business services and the cultural and media sectors; the changing spatial architecture of urban and regional governance and its capacity to shape the towns and cities of the future. practitioners and policy makers with an interest in urban policy, regeneration and renewal; voluntary and community sector workers; and academics and students.

The vital contribution of our towns and cities to economic, social and cultural well-being is at the heart of government policy making at local, national and international levels. At the same time the need to understand the changing nature of cities is increasingly important. largest ever programme of cities research in the UK, the Economic and Social Research Council's 'Cities: Competitiveness and Cohesion programme'. Leading experts present the findings of this wide-ranging programme organised around themes of competitiveness, social cohesion and the role of policy and governance. critical to cities and urban change; examines a large body of evidence on a wide range of policy issues at the heart of current debates about the performance of cities and the prospects for urban renaissance. analysts and academics with an interest or involvement in urban issues.