ABSTRACT
The previous chapter discussed the main characteristics of the changing urban
realm arising from the effects of globalisation, neo-liberalism, growing social
inequality, and concerns over sustainability. New patterns of governance have
evolved as a result of increasing concerns with urban competitiveness, resulting in
the rapid extension of collaborative action and partnership at the local level, and
the emergence of the ‘entrepreneurial’ city, reflecting new institutional and mana-
gerial frameworks. This chapter takes forward some of these ideas within the
context of town and city centres, being concerned initially with the legacy for such
central areas of broader societal processes, reflecting on the range of policy
responses that have evolved, and focusing in particular on city-centre policy
frameworks within the wider urban context. It proceeds to consider the scope and
processes involved in devising appropriate town-centre strategies, and the rapid
growth of a pro-active town-centre management agenda as an instrument for
stimulating the vitality and continuing viability of city centres. It finally discusses
the prospects for city centres within the rapidly changing urban realm.
