The Countryside In and Around Towns is often described as either the urban fringe or the rural urban fringe. Another label that is frequently applied to this territory is 'peri-urban', a description often used by policy makers, the planning profess...

Countryside In and Around Towns


The Countryside In and Around Towns is often described as either the urban fringe or the rural urban fringe. Another label that is frequently applied to this territory is 'peri-urban', a description often used by policy makers, the planning profession and by academics. 

The Countryside Agency and its predecessors have a long record of involvement in the countryside in and around towns. With the help of a variety of research programmes we have developed, and are currently promoting, a holistic multi-functional vision for the countryside in and around towns.

Research: The Countryside Agency has commissioned wide-ranging research to provide a contemporary insight into the state and potential of the countryside in and around towns. Most of the resulting research reports are available from this site or can be ordered from the Agency.

Guidance and Practice: The Countryside Agency is bringing together case studies and good practice guidance designed to inspire, inform and support those who want to unlock the potential of the countryside in and around their town or city. 

Monitoring and Evaluation: The Countryside Agency has established a national monitoring and evaluation framework to support its work in regions implementing the Vision, designed to capture and report back on regional implementation activity. The output from this will be an annual monitoring and evaluation report.