Policy Press

Social Geography and Urban Studies

We publish a wide range of topical titles in this subject area. Have a browse through the different categories on the left to get a flavour of what is covered.

We are particularly well-known for our atlases on social geography and inequality which have featured widely in the media – look out for The human atlas of Europe and People and places in 2016.

Showing 13-24 of 112 items.

Rescaling Urban Governance

Planning, Localism and Institutional Change

Providing new research and thinking about cities, their governance and planning reform, this book compares the UK with multiple international examples in order to examine cutting-edge experimentation and innovation in new models of governance and urban policy in response to today's increasing global social and environmental challenges.

Policy Press

The Fall and Rise of Social Housing

100 Years on 20 Estates

Using a unique archive spanning the lifetime of twenty council estates in the UK, this book examines what we can learn from council housing’s failings and successes for building sustainable communities in the future.

Policy Press

Transforming Glasgow

Beyond the Post-Industrial City

Using a wide-range of interdisciplinary perspectives which examine the diverse issues of urban policy, regeneration and economic and social change, this book explores the transition of Glasgow from a de-industrial to a post-industrial city.

Policy Press

Towards a Spatial Social Policy

Bridging the Gap Between Geography and Social Policy

Edited by Adam Whitworth

Bringing together experts from both fields, this collection illuminates the myriad of ways that human geography offers rich insights conceptually, empirically and methodologically into the neglected spatialities of social policy scholarship, practice and experience.

Policy Press

Transport Matters

Edited by Iain Docherty and Jon Shaw

The book shows that transport matters and examines how and why efficient and effective transport is fundamental to all manner of public policy goals. Contributors explore transport’s social, economic and environmental consequences and demonstrate how we could do things differently to promote a better future for everyone.

Policy Press

The Well-Connected Community

A Networking Approach to Community Development

There is a growing recognition of the importance of networking for the vitality and cohesion of community life. Now in its third edition, and substantially updated, this textbook combines practical experience and theory for people working with and for communities.

Policy Press

Critical Dialogues

Thinking Together in Turbulent Times

In this engaging and original book, John Clarke is in conversation with twelve leading individual scholars about the dynamics of critical thinking in the social sciences, and he reflects on the necessity of thinking collaboratively and dialogically.

Policy Press

The New Politics of Home

Housing, Gender and Care in Times of Crisis

Setting out both new empirical material and new conceptual terrain, this book draws on approaches from human geography, social policy, feminist and political theory to explore issues of home and care in times of crisis.

Policy Press

Health in Hard Times

Austerity and Health Inequalities

Edited by Clare Bambra

Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence. This book is a vital review of the impact of austerity on the wellbeing of the UK. Case studies from Stockton-on-Tees, home to some of the starkest health divides, are combined with a review of the repercussions of budget cuts and welfare reforms to show the vast inequalities in health in the UK today.

Policy Press

Whose Housing Crisis?

Assets and Homes in a Changing Economy

Reconceiving the current housing crisis in England as a ‘wicked’ problem, this book situates the crisis in a broader range of socio-economic issues and calls for a change in how housing is produced and consumed.

Policy Press

Urban Food Sharing

Rules, Tools and Networks

Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence. Illustrated by global case studies and empirical data, this book explores the history and current practises of food sharing, whilst exploring the impact and potential of such sharing for cities.

Policy Press

The Short Guide to Town and Country Planning

This fully updated short guide discusses the planning system, processes, legal constructs and approaches, taking into account the recent regulatory changes within the UK nations. It explores the interactions of government and society with the planning system, encouraging the reader to adopt a reflective and inquisitive outlook.

Policy Press