ABSTRACT
In the Preface to this volume allusions were made to the many examples of contemporary misunderstanding and near confl ict between Britain and France; equally it pointed out that in truth the reality contained perhaps more cordial and constructive exchange and co-operation than the media would have us believe. In the fi eld of urban affairs, land management, planning, etc. which is our focus of analysis similar misunderstandings and similar co-operation can equally be found. The Introduction set out the various areas where a dialogue between French and British academics, and some practitioners, is in progress and the challenging questions they have set out to fi nd answers to. The authors of the various chapters have collaborated across the national divide to examine and compare the nature of a problem or issue they face and the response to it. They have set about this by defi ning the ‘problems’ and the terminologies used in responding to it in each country and proceeded to examine the respective national policies and programmes in place to deal with them.
