A Question of Balance
Article
The Barker Review of Land Use Planning has been widely attacked as bad for cities: loosening the green belt, damaging town centres and undermining local democracy. But others felt the Review should have gone a lot further. Who is right?
This paper assesses Barker, exploring the role of planning in urban growth. It finds a case for managed reviews to green belts. But the jury is out on reforming the 'town centre first' approach, and proposals for planning major infrastructure need further work.
The forthcoming Planning White Paper should take forward Barker's more sensible proposals. But the Government must tread carefully, improving local planners' capacity before it introduces any major reforms.
Centre for Cities has re-launched as an independent think tank. You can visit them online at http://www.centreforcities.org.
Related items
The IPPR Inclusion Taskforce
Our new inclusion taskforce will focus on reforming England's failing special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.Places to come together: Rebuilding local solidarities against the far right
A discussion paper on the fight for local investment and why government must create, facilitate and maintain spaces where solidarity might thrive.State of the North 2025 - The kids aren't alright: How to deliver for young people in the North
This year’s State of the North report highlights how regional inequality exacerbates the growing challenges facing many young northerners.