ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the evolution of the environmental dimension of regional planning in Britain, and especially in the English regions. It explains the extent to which the requirements of the environmental agenda have been acknowledged and incorporated into the re-defined theory and practice of regional planning and regional development. The chapter aims to speculate on the possible role of the environmental dimension of sustainable development as a key element in the evolution of regional planning and development over the next decade. It attempts to take a step into the future and anticipates further elaboration of the regional agenda, especially in relation to the incorporation of environmental considerations and priorities. The origins of regional planning, and especially the environmental dimension of regional planning, can be traced back to contributions made by various academics and practitioners during the late nineteenth century.
