The Labour Government has unleashed a new dynamism in urban policy and politics in Britain and given rise to a variety of initiatives including elected mayors, regional development agencies and assaults on social exclusion and educational standards, to name but a few. This text analyzes the key changes in approach and policy since the 1970s, especially the increased role of the market and its implications for the legitimacy and accountability of local political structures. It provides an introduction to the development and an insight into the opportunities and constraints of urban renewal.