First published in 1999, this volume features contributors specialising in urban planning and examines the challenges of environmental planning in urban areas, focusing on policy, management, organisation and policy. A collection of ground-breaking and thought-provoking papers, they are written by some of the most distinguished, internationally known names in the field of urban sustainability. The authors go beyond debates about approach and policy options to look at what is taking place. The experience of urban environmental management is presented from several countries in Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia. They examine over twenty case studies in contributing to existing knowledge of environmental management practice in urban areas, emphasising the issue in both Northern and Southern countries in relation to growing awareness in the North and rapid city growth in the South. While containing critical analyses, the emphasis is placed on achievements and promising developments of vital importance to local administrators, policy-makers, town planners, academics, environmentalists and students alike.