During the past twenty years a major change has occurred in the structure, style, and content of regional planning and development in the United Kingdom, and especially in England. Whereas the pre-1979 model was dictated by central government and promoted a hierarchical ‘family of plans’, within which comprehensive regional plans were prepared in some regions, the present system has moved towards the adoption of a greater degree of partnership. Although the regional plans produced under the present system are frequently rudimentary, a foundation now exists for future development. Associated with the regional (land-use) plans are regional initiatives related to European Union Structural Funds programmes, competitiveness, transport, and housing. In moving forward to develop a more integrated and comprehensive approach to regional planning, it is important to address some of the surviving causes of the failure of regional planning in previous eras. The chief cause of failure is the absence of a settled system of regional governance and accountability.
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