Tensions in managing the suburbs: conservation versus change

Summary This paper rewiews the increasing trend for conservation in suburban areas. Focusing mainly on English suburban conservation areas, it explores the background to the movement, the views of residents and the range of town-planning systems used in such attempts to retain the 'character and appearance' of these areas. Concepts of, and approaches to, urban landscapes that might be familiar to urban geographers are conspicuous by their absence. A range of tensions are explored, including those generated between residents and professionals, the values and attitudes of the professionals and the likely future conflict over values and attitudes in conservation versus change: the application of concepts of sustainability, including 'densification' and the compact city.