An Anatomy of Sprawl

"Nick Phelps has made an important contribution to understanding the pathology of planning. An Anatomy of Sprawl combines rich empirical analysis with insightful observations which academics, planners and students should take on board." - Phil Allmendinger, Professor of Land Economy, University of Cambridge & Fellow of Clare College

"The first comprehensively researched and critical examination of the pressure for urban growth in the UK since Peter Hall's 'The Containment of Urban England'. If you thought the planning system has always achieved urban containment, this book reveals graphically the painful political attempts to manage and plan the impacts on our cities, countryside, and communities." - Mark Tewdwr-Jones, UCL

"A richly detailed analysis of urban and regional planning processes and outcomes that should be required reading for U.S planners and planning students and anyone interested in pro-growth/no-growth/smart growth issues. Phelps is masterful in weaving the detail of his account within the framework of broader issues." - Paul L. Knox, University Distinguished Professor and Senior Fellow for International Advancement at Virginia Tech

"...those interested in fundamental questions about the role of planning and planners in a democratic society will almost certainly want to study this book carefully" - Built Environment

"[T]he book as it stands is an extremely valuable contribution to the international literature on what planning does (and does not do), and the conditions under which it can(not) flourish. Let us hope it may stimulate more such studies of contemporary planning history." – International Planning Studies Journal, Tim Marshall, Oxford Brookes University, UK