Governments around the world are seeing the locality as a key arena for effecting changes in governance, restructuring state/civil society relations and achieving sustainable growth. This is the first book to critically analyse this shift towards localism in planning through exploring neighbourhood planning; one of the fastest growing, most popular and most contentious contemporary planning initiatives.

Bringing together original empirical research with critical perspectives on governance and planning, the book engages with broader debates on the purposes of planning, the construction of active citizenship, the uneven geographies of localism and the extent to which power is actually being devolved. Setting this within an international context with cases from the US, Australia and France the book reflects on the possibilities for the emergence of a more progressive form of localism.

"This book provides an analytical, current, and essential insight into localism and neighbourhood planning and is a must read for anyone studying or engaging in urban planning and public policy today." Adam Sheppard, University of the West of England

Sue Brownill is Reader in Urban Policy and Governance at Oxford Brookes University. Her research focuses on public participation and spatial equity in planning and regeneration, affordable housing and community planning and localism.

Quintin Bradley is a Senior Lecturer in Planning and Housing at Leeds Beckett University, leading post-graduate study in planning and housing. He leads research into community planning and localism, housing rights and social movements.