Urban process and power

the long version

Urban Process and Power not only explains the processes fashioning the built environment but also shows how they reflect the dominant social and political values and the economic circumstances in which they are taking place. Policies towards the built environment during the 'neo-liberal' period since the mid-1970s have increased inequalities, wasted resources and have frequently been self-defeating even in terms of neo-liberalism's own values and strategies. The author argues that these effects are serious and that they raise questions of accountability since they are taking place in the context of an accelerating de-democratisation of the urban development process. Comparison with processes elsewhere in Europe helps to confirm the view that recent deregulatory strategies have produced many adverse effects and underlines the need to move back to land development procedures that show a better balance between the private, public and voluntary sectors and a greater sensitivity to users of the environment. The book will be invaluable to those interested in the development of the built environment and especially to those concerned with the extent to which democratic accountability is being eroded.