For
better or worse, infrastructure that supported regeneration in the UK is being
swept away or radically downgraded. Financial resources available from both
public and private sectors in disadvantaged areas is likely to be greatly
reduced for many years. Without new approaches, we risk returning to the blight
of the late '90s, where abandonment, crime and generational unemployment were
the norm in some areas. This presents enormous, immediate challenges and opens
up space for new thinking and a more considered, values-driven approach.
Urban regeneration for too long has been dominated by concepts of value
concerned with financial uplift and equality that look no further than
redistribution. This project will explore how a ‘regeneration social contract’
between local residents, state and private enterprise can provide long term
models for revitalising disadvantaged areas and connecting residents with
opportunities.
ResPublica
are commencing a new research project which will draw upon wellbeing,
economic resilience, sustainable development and network theory to inform
current dilemmas about regeneration and neighbourhoods. The project aims to set
out new paths and principles in contrast to expensive, stop-start, post-war
policies.
The resulting publication will examine current UK regeneration policy and
opportunities for new thinking, observe lessons from past models (both
government and community led), examine findings from academia and relevant
practitioners and draw upon input from an expert steering group, comprised
of academics, peers, MPs, policy makers and representatives from relevant,
community organisations and local government.
The project will
be a flagship output of our New Economies, Innovative Markets workstream, and is
still open to external engagement from third party
organisations. For the next stage, ResPublica would like to
establish a consortium of partners from the public, private and third sectors,
who will feed in to our further research and debate in this area and benefit
from co-branding on publications and events.
If you would like further information,
or discuss partnering on this venture, please contact Caroline.MacFarland@respublica.org.uk