This title was first published in 2002: Uniting scholars from across the full range of social sciences, this distinctive volume provides a unique overview of northern European planning. It examines all the key issues as well as the evolution, traditions, current innovations and future developments in the field of planning. Focusing on how planning impacts upon social issues such as employment, social exclusion and quality of life, the volume also looks at innovations in planning policy and practice, in particular the challenge of sustainability. The contributors analyze the built environment's relationship with culture and take a critical look at the creative re-thinking currently taking place in Nordic planning.