ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to bridge the gaps between the urban agenda and the sustainability agenda firstly with a review of the dynamics of urban change, and the meaning of sustainable regeneration'. It looks at the reality of regeneration as a physical, social and economic process. This leads to wider theme of managing urban change through integrated planning the holy grail of integrating spatial, environmental, economic and social development. Social empowerment is through community action and third sector economy. Urban regeneration seen as a metabolism translating needs into outcomes. Urban evolutionary theory looks at new kinds of urban form as responses to new modes of production. Total housing, urban regeneration & regional development funding in 123 most deprived authorities in England. The physical and design-based approach to recycling land and buildings of urban renaissance' is also not very appropriate where jobs are scarce and values are non-existent. Physical regeneration is material- and energy-intensive, with heavy demands on local and global environments.
