Chosen City

There is endless talk about the need for an urban renaissance; can it happen in the real world? In this book, Nicholas Schoon argues that the foremost priority for regeneration is to make neighbourhoods and cities places where people with choices choose to live. Urban education, crime prevention and transport systems are as much in need of root and branch improvements as urban design. So too, is the way in which we allow existing towns and cities to grow into the countryside. The author surveys the last two centuries of metropolitan growth and decay, analyzes the successes and failures of recent changes in urban policy and proposes a wide range of radical measures to make the renaissance a reality.

'His radical options are interesting and challenge current assumptions.' - Roof'This lively, readable book offers new answers to today's urban blight. Here are city solutions that will save the countryside too. The government should read this from cover to cover - and act on it.' Polly Toynbee'Nicholas Schoon has written a brilliantly provocative book about the great British urban debate.' - Professor Sir Peter Hall, Regeneration and Renewal'An exceptionally informative book.' - Anthony Fyson, Planning'The Chosen City is densely argued discursive and ambitious. There is much here to think about and to stoke up the urban policy debate. - Housing Magazine'This is a serious, thoughtful book, packed with energy, enthusiasm and ideas. It is a refreshingly readable and genuinely useful work, thoroughly researched and standing in the best traditions of well-informed polemic. - Search (Joseph Rowntree Foundation)'It is this ability to think out of the box that makes Schoon's ideas so interesting ... ought to be used to show Britain's politicians, that they can get better, if only there is the will.' - New Statesman'This is an important book that thoroughly deserves to be widely read and discussed.' - Town and Country Planning'This is the most stimulating book on Britain's housing issues that I haveread in the last decade. Although I don't agree with absolutely everythingin it, it's essential reading for anyone struggling with the regeneration ofhousing in our inner cities' - Matthew Fox, Chief Executive, Harding Housing Association'His book should be read by everyone from government ministers to those engaged in the task of urban regeneration.' - New Statesman'Both diagnostic and prescriptive, he makes a positive contribution to a debate often preoccupied with descriptions of the problem and short practical policies for its solution...This debate would enliven discussions on the urban dilemma and the book will be a useful and reasonably priced addition to college and sixth form libraries.' - Geography

Michelle Rae Hebl, Charles L. Brewer, Jr. Benjamin, Ludy T.