Regeneration must go beyond housing
Regenerating large estates is a long-term process that must go beyond improvements to housing, a study has found.
The report from the Chartered Institute of Housing and consultancy Ecotec has found successful regeneration must tackle multiple sources of deprivation, as well as improving the physical environment.
Transforming Estates looks at four major estate transformation projects in Medan Valley in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire coal field, North Solihull, Huyton in Knowsley and Poplar Harca in Tower Hamlets.
It says it may take decades to bring about successful regeneration, and that improvements to housing and the environment can be easier than tackling underlying problems such as poverty and unemployment.
Sarah Webb, chief executive of the CIH, said: ‘Improving housing is at the heart of successful estate regeneration programmes, but new homes must go hand in hand with coordinated efforts over the long term to improve educational attainment, local skills and access to training and employment.’
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Readers' comments (5)
Sancho | 21/10/2009 2:10 pm
I hope no-one paid for that report. I can't believe there is a single person working in regen in any capacity who couldn't have told us that.
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Ian Perry, Chairman of Grove Village and Chief Exe | 21/10/2009 2:56 pm
You can never overstate the need for a cohesive approach to redevelopment and regeneration. I have been Chairman of Manchester’s Grove Village, the first Government-backed PFI scheme for social housing to reach contractual close, since 2003. I agree unequivocally that the transformation and regeneration of neighbourhoods must involve a well thought out and imaginative programme that combines housing refurbishment, clearance and new build with creative environmental works and above all, strong community involvement.
There is no ‘quick fix’ to sometimes deep-rooted issues within a community and sharing information with residents, involving them in the decision making process, providing training, skills and education as well as events and initiatives that bring the community together and encourage active citizenship will ensure long lasting results to be enjoyed by generations to come.
The 30-year programme of regeneration at Grove Village has already seen the construction of 220 high quality new homes and the demolition of over 400 unpopular properties. The new neighbourhood design has also seen the introduction of local amenities and shops, two park areas and a specially designed enclosed games area regularly used by local children and for neighbourhood events. But perhaps equally as vital to the neighbourhood has been the opening of a new Village Centre, a hub for many residents where they are able to access weekly activities and classes, including training and employment support sessions, computer classes, youth club activities and homework club where children can access revision books and computers.
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gabby | 21/10/2009 4:05 pm
pretty dry reading, a load of references to other strategies and plans, nothing new here. as with many of these reports there doesn't seem to be any answers just more questions and sandal gazing!
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ancient Greek | 21/10/2009 6:15 pm
Thereport's last paragraph says quite a lot, to quote from the conclusion :
"Surviving the recession:
The recession is having a major impact ... in terms of private sector involvement, economic sustainability and uncertainty about future public funding. In the short term public funding will be important in terms of maintaining momentum until economic conditions improve. In the current climate local authorities have a key role to play in maintaining regeneration through securing public sector investment in infrastructure, supporting housing and property markets; and supporting firms, individuals and jobs."
The market is malfunctioning, the state is heavily involved in two wars and shoring up the banks at the same time, with at least one of its hands tied behind its back while rapidly approaching a transformative election and one million voting for the BNP. How good is that as a prospect for wholistic regeneration in the foreseeable future?
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B.S. Townroe | 21/10/2009 7:13 pm
Ah, yes, I love the smell of woods after the bears have visited. Well, the effect of producing this stuff is much the same.
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