Book excerpt: Today’s trend towards the renewal of cities, sociable places, higher standards of architecture and sustainable city centre living is the business of urban design. In Britain, effective urban design is now at the forefront of government policy. However, even when the goals are clear, how do you make a start? If you are a planner, an elected councillor, or a developer what do you have to do on a day-to-day basis? In particular, how do you handle design within the planning process and ensure it is connected to other aspects of policy? How do you maintain this good practice as a matter of course? Tony Hall offers solutions not through idealised prescriptions but by setting out practical action based on what has been achieved on the ground. Uniquely amongst texts on this subject, the book draws upon his combination of both professional and political experience. This accessible and highly illustrated book shows how to: focus the organisation on design incorporate design principles into policy make design briefing effective prepare for successful negotiation