This book provides a comprehensive and dynamic picture of the state of research in urban and regional planning evaluation, integrating contributions from key scholars in the field. The volume covers a variety of aspects, including methodological issues, analysis of practice, and epistemological and theoretical questions. Although different positions emerge, all authors share the common intention to link recent developments in planning theory with new approaches to evaluation research - rising concerns for communicative planning, complexity, participation, sustainable development, conservation of the natural and built heritage challenge consolidated and institutionalized evaluation models and practice. The contributors face this challenge and offer an updated and thought-provoking picture for a new identity for evaluation in planning. This book will be of interest to academics, researchers and practitioners in urban and regional planning evaluation, project appraisal, urban planning and policy, public sector, management and policy analysis and environmental sciences.