ABSTRACT
In one sense, the fact that British governments have found it necessary to pursue policies specifically directed at the problems of the inner cities is evidence of the inadequacy of other urban policies. After all, as broadly conceived in the post-war period, planning, land-use and housing policies should have solved the ‘urban problem’ — at least as then defined. In 1945, overcrowding in the big cities, unplanned urban sprawl and serious regional imbalance were the dominating urban problems. Today, judging by official statements and public concern, the focus of attention has shifted quite dramatically. Instead of overcrowding, inner city depopulation and decline are apparently the problem. Instead of dispersing people and jobs from the cities, politicians now talk of providing means to direct investment back to inner areas.
