Population and urban problems

Abstract

How important is population size likely to be in relation to urban problems in the U.K.? What is the nature and importance of population trends in the U.K.? What are the appropriate objectives to which social, economic and physical planning policies should respond? Is it really correct to suggest that resource depletion is a demographic problem, or that a policy of zero economic growth will in some way alleviate pressures on the environment? Is optimum population size for the country a useful concept in practical terms? These are perhaps the most important questions for discussion.

There is no population crisis in the U.K. and indeed many other European countries are concerned that their populations are not reproducing themselves. Population policies may well be desirable, but there are many more critical urban problems that require action.