ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is concerned with the way research relates to practice in the movement known as Healthy Cities and will therefore be of direct interest to those concerned with health policy, health promotion, community development and the reorientation of services towards the community. The contributors to the book demonstrate, in a range of settings, the difficulties and tensions between the sectors involved - the community, researchers, professionals and their agencies -in relation to their own experiences with Healthy Cities research in various parts of the world. Trevor Hancock addresses, in detail, the definition of the Healthy City and how it relates to the principles of health promotion. Lisa Curtice considers the functioning of the Healthy Cities project in Europe in relation to research. Sonja Hunt examines the role and function of research more generally.
