The urbanisation of Irish society has had a profound impact on the character and mix of Irish research. The research agenda now encompasses such diverse issues as the urban consequences of economic restructuring, inner-area economic and physical regeneration, environmental protection and building conservation, residential development and the crisis of housing affordability, the suburbanisation of employment and the impacts of the separation of land-uses on traffic circulation and congestion. It has been concerned with investigating urban issues in advance of policy development and engaging in the monitoring and review of urban policies. The publication of the Journal of Irish Urban Studies marks a growing recognition of the importance of urban-related issues in Irish society. It has been established as a forum for the dissemination of research and the stimulation of discussion and debate. It is a joint initiative of the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies. Trinity College Dublin, and the Faculty of the Built Environment, Dublin Institute of Techno logy. Bolton Street. Two volumes of the Journal will be published annually. One volume will be thematic, based on papers presented at the annual seminar. The second volume will be eclectic for which the Journal welcomes the submission of articles from researchers and professional practitioners working in either the public or private sectors. Papers should be relevant to contemporary Irish urban issues. Reviews of non-Irish issues will also be considered insofar as they bear considerable relevance to the Irish situation. Short papers from urban practitioners (planners, surveyors, architects. housing managers, community workers etc.) reflecting on or critically evaluating specific aspects of contemporary policy and practice are particularly welcome for publication in the Papers from Practice section of the Journal.