NO CITY, NO CIVILIZATION

Urban policy in Britain is faced with political ambivalence and declin ing public expenditure. Selective population decentralization and the resultant further concentration of social distress in cities continues . There are indications that urban policy can and does generate benefi ts; the encouragement of public-private partnerships is a key element in urban regeneration but is hindered by incoherent financial prioriti es and the lack of strategic thinking. Area-based schemes, the increas ed involvement of local authorities and local communities and the use of EU funds has helped some cities to circumvent some of these policy failings. A successful transition to post-industrialism involves the h arnessing of local comparative advantage and the conscious creation of the city as forum. Urban policy must address the ever-increasing gulf between the haves and have-nots through the development of innovative and wide ranging fiscal measures, of partnership between central and local government, and a coherent urban policy founded upon consistency and compassion.