in the UK, an area of land surrounding an urban area in which planning restrictions severely curb new housing, commercial and industrial developments. Designed to stop urban sprawl. As they generally remain as they were when designated, and as building developments have occurred either in settlements beyond them or taken place as redevelopment of derelict land in the urban area, they can be said to have been a success. Pressure continues to build however, and it remains to be seen whether they will survive.
Geography Dictionary & Glossary for Students \\ ITS Tutorial School (ITS) - Hong Kong.