Abstract
In the context of improvements in mobility and changing patterns of retail, the importance of market town centres to rural residents has diminished, leaving many vulnerable to decline and their contemporary relevance questioned. Based on experience from 11 case-study towns located throughout England, this paper considers the prospects for regenerating the fortunes of market town centres. It is argued that this can be achieved through an integration of functional concerns with an appreciation of the desire to develop 'spaces of consumption' where there is focus on the leisure aspects of town centre visits. Although a number of the issues are beyond the direct remit of spatial planners, an awareness of the implications of development management and the context within which decisions are occurring is crucial.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 301-319 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Planning Practice and Research |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 7 Aug 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geography, Planning and Development
Cite this
Market town centres in England : Meeting the challenge of maintaining their contemporary relevance. / Powe, Neil A.; Hart, Trevor; Bek, David.
In: Planning Practice and Research, Vol. 24, No. 3, 07.08.2009, p. 301-319.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Market town centres in England
T2 - Meeting the challenge of maintaining their contemporary relevance
AU - Powe, Neil A.
AU - Hart, Trevor
AU - Bek, David
PY - 2009/8/7
Y1 - 2009/8/7
N2 - In the context of improvements in mobility and changing patterns of retail, the importance of market town centres to rural residents has diminished, leaving many vulnerable to decline and their contemporary relevance questioned. Based on experience from 11 case-study towns located throughout England, this paper considers the prospects for regenerating the fortunes of market town centres. It is argued that this can be achieved through an integration of functional concerns with an appreciation of the desire to develop 'spaces of consumption' where there is focus on the leisure aspects of town centre visits. Although a number of the issues are beyond the direct remit of spatial planners, an awareness of the implications of development management and the context within which decisions are occurring is crucial.
AB - In the context of improvements in mobility and changing patterns of retail, the importance of market town centres to rural residents has diminished, leaving many vulnerable to decline and their contemporary relevance questioned. Based on experience from 11 case-study towns located throughout England, this paper considers the prospects for regenerating the fortunes of market town centres. It is argued that this can be achieved through an integration of functional concerns with an appreciation of the desire to develop 'spaces of consumption' where there is focus on the leisure aspects of town centre visits. Although a number of the issues are beyond the direct remit of spatial planners, an awareness of the implications of development management and the context within which decisions are occurring is crucial.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70349737695&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/02697450903020742
DO - 10.1080/02697450903020742
M3 - Article
VL - 24
SP - 301
EP - 319
JO - Planning Practice and Research
JF - Planning Practice and Research
SN - 0269-7459
IS - 3
ER -