is a different way of approaching planning and community (re)generation which has at its centre the idea that geography and space are crucial to how people live and interact, to the quality of life, and the building of personal and social identity.   It is about understanding the challenges presented by place in mustering all the resources being invested there to support and nurture community strengths and assets in ways which promote prosperity for that place and community. It is about recognising that better outcomes can often be created from better use and co-ordination and resources invested. The focus on place challenges the more usual approaches to public administration and service provision based on separate functional departments and agencies.   It requires an understanding of the interaction of different forms of service provision, and a balance between social, economic and environmental policies and interventions.