Special issue of 'Planning, Practice and Research': The future of green belts


Call for papers

Green belts have been a pillar of planning policy in many countries during the 20th Century. They can have differing uses according to the context. In some cases they are used as a buffer between urban and rural areas. In others, they are used for shaping urban growth and providing areas for recreation. Despite their varied functions green belts have come under attack from a number of angles. They are seen to be outdated by some. Others point to the costs associated with limiting land supply. Others view them as a blunt instrument for dealing with a complex set of challenges associated with the peri-urban fringe.  

The objective of this special issue will be to debate the future of green belts. By gathering together international planning academics and practitioners we aim to discuss whether or not the green belt is a useful solution to some of the challenges that planners will face in the 21st century. We are seeking critical reviews of existing green belt practices so as to provide guidance for future policy development. We anticipate being able to structure the issue around different themes or even into those who broadly support the concept or not. We are specifically interested in themes that address the following areas among others:
- green belts, coastal communities and the role of climate change
- community initiated, managed and planned green belts
- sustainability and green belts
- National parks as green belts
- sprawl and green belts
- green belt alternatives  
etc.

While publication is not guaranteed we are asking for interested authors to send a 300 word abstract to [log in to unmask] by 15th of December.

The issue is intended as a follow-up to a special issue of Journal of Environmental Planning and Management (2007, vol. 50 no. 5) and the book Green belts in the 21st Century (2008, Ashgate). We particularly encourage new and emerging scholars and those who bring an alternative or international perspective to green belts. Further information on the acceptable format for publication in PPR is available on the following link:
http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/02697459.asp

The final deadline for submission to the special issue is the end of March 2009, with publication expected at the beginning of 2010.

Marco Amati <[log in to unmask]>; and
Vincent Nadin <[log in to unmask]>: