The changing meaning of urban capacity: A need to reflect on planning for infrastructure

摘要

The Urban Renaissance requires desirable urban housing to encourage people back to English towns and cities. Urban-capacity studies (urban-potential studies) are used to identify possible future housing opportunities in these areas; however, urban capacity originally focused on urban areas' finite capacity to accommodate future housing allocations. This change in meaning is explored through analysing the relevant government texts of the time (1995-2001) and urban-capacity studies. This reveals the continuing importance of the intensity of urban use as an issue, but the seeming loss of its consideration in more recent urban-capacity assessments. Yet the quality of local urban infrastructures and their usage remain important factors in realising the Urban Renaissance. Where housing is most needed, the South-East Region, the question of infrastructural provision has reappeared. A new study assessing and costing future requirements has emerged. This may be a much-needed addition in achieving the Urban Renaissance.