ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how sustainable development has become a central concept in all discussions of contemporary urban regeneration in the United Kingdom (UK). Urban housing, which is developed with sustainability in mind, will consume less land, generate fewer private car journeys, use existing urban resources and conserve energy. The emphasis within most urban regeneration policies has tended to be on economic rather than environmental or social regeneration. The Beddington Zero Energy Development is one of the most famous examples of urban regeneration combined with sustainable living in the UK. An important element of sustainable urban development and of value in urban regeneration schemes is green space. Governments have therefore aimed to ‘green’ capitalism and urban development by introducing various measures in planning and business that have attempted to secure sustainability. High-quality urban green space has a range of benefits for urban regeneration in terms of economic regeneration, health and well-being, promoting community cohesion, and environmental services.
