Urban Development and Environment

The regeneration of urban areas presents many challenges specific to the area concerned. Although the prime task is one of employment and wealth creation, it is most important to highlight and deal with the environmental issues. The statutory and regulatory requirements on environmental matters are yet to be developed to a stage of issuing definitive and quantitative guidelines. To a large extent, the environmental requirements and standards are still a function of affordability. The British government's policies for the regeneration of derelict, contaminated, and environmentally unfriendly urban areas resulted in the establishment of the urban development corporations (UDCs). The Black Country UDC in the West Midlands, the industrial heart of England, is a prime example of the problems, policies, and solutions implemented to achieve new employment, social and environmental improvements, and a better quality of life.