ABSTRACT
The City of Cardiff and its environs, most notably the older industrial and urban valley communities, represent a significant metropolitan region in Britain, although there has not exists a metropolitan structure in terms of local government. The City of Cardiff and its metropolitan region may be described as comprising 12 new unitary local authorities which can be considered to be the South East Wales urban metropolis. A number of key issues can be identified which illustrate the challenge facing planners seeking to manage Cardiff in a period of rapid change. The restructuring of the city and regional economy, Europeanization, environmental issues focused on Local Agenda 21 and the reduction of income. The Structure Plan for Cardiff and its immediate hinterland was prepared by South Glamorgan County Council. This chapter explains the document identified areas of growth and areas of restraint, with Cardiff being identified as a Special Growth Area in relation to the Cardiff Bay Initiative.
