Exploring The Future For Market Towns

Market towns are frequently identified as being among the most desirable places to live. Yet, paradoxically, they are also the focus of government efforts to bring economic regeneration to the countryside as a means of achieving a more sustainable pattern of development. But, with the loss of livestock and produce markets in most towns, there is no longer a clear picture of what defines a market town. This absence of definition has served to inhibit our ability to undertake analysis, develop policy and understand what works where and why. Through a detailed analysis of the characteristics of over two hundred towns and in-depth studies of eleven towns in different parts of England, this book identifies and explores a number of key roles for market towns: as retirement or commuter towns; as employment centres; as service centres or as tourist towns. It sets the results in the context of past and current policy and considers in more detail some critical issues, including increased personal mobility, aging populations, housing growth and affordability, employment, and retail competitiveness. Drawing on this detailed case study material, a final section explores the future role of market towns as sustainable communities and how they might best assure their futures. Market Towns draws on original research to address issues which have not yet been covered in contemporary planning literature. This comprehensive volume provides a wide-ranging discussion that is likely to appeal to those involved at all levels of practice related to market towns as well as to academics and students working in both rural and urban geography and planning.Powel, Neil is the author of 'Exploring The Future For Market Towns ' with ISBN 9780415389624 and ISBN 0415389623.