ntroductionDefinitions, objectives and history of the green beltThe green belt or green belt is defined as an area reserved for undeveloped or agricultural land to protect urban areas from large cities. . Controlling the development of urban areas constitutes an essential element of national planning policy. The green belt is generally defined in the local plan by local planning authorities (Green Belt UK Politics, 2009). The green belt has a series of important objectives or functions to improve the quality of life of humans. From an environmental perspective, this could protect the natural environment and, to some extent, improve the air quality of urban areas. In addition, protecting wild animal habitats is another function. The green belt provides open space for the urban population to access fresh air. From a planning perspective, it is useful to prevent urban sprawl. Furthermore, the unique character of urban areas, such as historic towns, could be preserved through the creation of a green belt. And rural areas are separated from urban areas by a green belt. Its objective is also to prevent neighboring towns from merging with each other (Naturenet, 2007). The concept of a green belt could date back to Antiquity. In the United Kingdom, the first green belt was built by Elizabeth I of England to prevent the spread of the plague around the city of London. However, the first real meaning of the Green Belt was not proposed until the 1930s. It is known as the Metropolitan Green Belt, located around London. Since then, it seems that green belts are starting to play an essential role in urban planning. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and some other groups are pushing for the implementation of a green belt policy in the UK.Benefits of the Green BeltThe Green Belt has been proven to benefit people from the construction...... middle of paper... ...ble at: http://www.politics-greenbelt.org.uk/criticism-and-disadvantages-of-green-belt-policy.html [Accessed : December 6, 2013].Quilty-Harper, C. 2012. Interactive map: England's Green Belt - Telegraph. [online] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/greenpolitics/planning/9708387/Interactive-map-Englands-green-belt.html [Accessed 6 December 2013].Politics-greenbelt. org.UK. 2009. Benefits of Green Belt Policy. [online] Available at: http://www.politics-greenbelt.org.uk/benefits-of-green-belt-policy.html [Accessed 7 December 2013]. Fawcett, T. 2010. Green Belts: A greener future (summary) - Campaign to protect rural England. [online] Available at: http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/housing-and-planning/green-belts/item/1955-green-belts-a-greener-future-summary [Accessed 8 December 2013].Amati, M. 2008. Urban green belts in the 21st century. Aldershot, England: Ashgate.