URBAN-POLICY AND THE MYTH OF PROGRESS

The article looks back over the last 22 years of urban policy developm ent in the UK to consider three linked themes: the extent of progress in meeting the goals of urban policy; the degree of policy learning th at has taken place within and beyond government; and the changing natu re of the relationship between the state, the academy and civil societ y. These themes are further explored in an analysis of one of the key characteristics of urban policy - the continuing attempt to manage urb an processes which result in racial discrimination and disadvantage. T he paper concludes by posing a series of questions which might stimula te fresh debate on the purpose and scope of urban policy as we move in to the next millennium.