It requires a clear vision and effective action. Our approach is encapsulated in the following vision, which is at the heart of the White Paper. A new vision of urban living Our vision is of towns, cities and suburbs which offer a high quality of life and opportunity for all, not just the few. This urban renaissance will benefit everyone, making towns and cities vibrant and successful, and protecting the countryside from development pressure. Towns and cities exist to serve people s needs.
Communities have different needs, different strengths and different aspirations.
Real, sustainable change will not be achieved unless local people are in the driving seat right from the start. This is both a mark of a decent society and plain good sense as a society which allows some to be excluded loses the benefit of their contribution. This White Paper commits us to working with local people, councils, regional bodies, businesses and voluntary and community organisations. The energy and effort of all concerned will reap greater rewards through genuine partnership. These issues are interdependent and cannot be looked at in isolation.