ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the relationship between urban and rural areas, and particularly the location for new urban growth, which has been a fundamental concern in urban and regional planning. Prevention of urban sprawl has been a key justification for planning. The European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) identified 'continuing urban sprawl' as a spatial development issue of European significance (CEC, 1999: 65). 'Control of the physical expansion of towns and cities' is described as being particularly important to sustainable development (CEC, 1999: 22). Uncontrolled growth is equated with increased levels of private transport use, increased energy consumption, more costly infrastructure and services, and negative impacts on the countryside and on the environment (CEC, 1999: 65).
