First published in 1998, this collection of essays compares the implementation of urban policies in 15 different countries across the European Union, with most articles’ contributors hailing from their subject nation. The contributors include experts in geography and spatial, town, transport and urban planning, and their contributions reflect fundamental changes in the economy, technology, demography and politics of European towns and cities. They ask four main questions: what the urban development pattern is, what administrative and financial relations between national authorities and cities exist, which issues the national authorities consider to be prominent and how this impacts on the national urban planning policies. Through the provision of national perspectives, they ask what can be learned through the comparison of how each region has tailored its perspective and strategy.

Written in a clear and concise style, this Modern Guide provide a timely overview and comparison of urban challenges and national urban policies in 13 European countries, addressing key issues such as housing, urban regeneration and climate change. A team of international contributors explore the gap between the rise of international urban agendas and variegated national urban policies, examining whether a more bespoke approach is better than the traditional ‘one size fits all’.

This book presents a unique overview of urban policy conducted by national authorities in the fifteen 'old' member states of the EU. Focussing on recent changes in the development of the larger cities and changes in policymaking by national authorities with respect to urban development, the book is structured around 15 'country chapters', written by national experts in the field of urban development. The book provides an up-to-date source of information, and will be of importance to anyone involved in the role and development of European cities as well as the formulation and delivery of associated national policies.

This title was first published in 2003.This book examines the development of urban policy instruments at the level of the EU primarily by the use of Structural Funds under the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Policy. This is the first book-length analysis of the politics of EU urban policy. The first section of the book concentrates on how and why the European Commission, with no clear mandate from the Treaties for an urban policy, has ventured into this area. The second section examines in detail the implementation of one of these instruments in two specific cases: London and Marseilles. This highlights the role of central, and other levels of government, in policy implementation. The comparison between the cases brings important insights into the differences in local political structures and practices in France and the United Kingdom. The book demonstrates in-depth knowledge and analysis of the policy area and relevant theoretical works. This includes a large volume of published and unpublished materials as well as valuable information obtained through a series of interviews. The findings have general implications for relations between the Commission and localities, particularly the difficulties of involving ordinary people in European issues.

This volume brings together case studies from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus and Malta to provide a comprehensive overview of these countries' urban policies. It provides new insights not only for the new EU countries, but also for the existing ones.