1.2.2 Urban policy

Question 1

Key urban policies

Answer 1

Urban Development Corporations - Thatcher and Major
Enterprise Zones - 1981-present
City challenge - Blair
Partnership Schemes- Brown

Question 2

Case studies

Answer 2

London Docklands
Hulme City, Manchester
Preston Road, Hull

Question 3

Which urban policy was London Docklands?

Answer 3

Urban Development Corporations

Question 4

Which urban policy was Hulme City, Manchester?

Answer 4

City Challenge

Question 5

Which urban policy was Preston Road, Hull?

Answer 5

Partnership scheme

Question 6

Government policy 1980-1997

Answer 6

• Conservative government
• PM: Thatcher and Major
• Economically driven
• Example: London Docklands

Question 7

Government policy 1997-2007

Answer 7

• Labour government
• PM: Tony Blair
• Still economically driven but socially aware
• Example: Hulme, Manchester

Question 8

Government policy 2007-2010

Answer 8

• Labour government
• PM: Gordon Brown
• More community driven
• Example: Preston Road, Hull

Question 9

History - London Docklands

Answer 9

• The redevelopment was of former docklands located on the Thames, which began to decline in the 1960s onwards.
• In 1980s, the area was derelict – 150,000 people had lost their jobs and 20% of local housing was unsuitable to live in. Public transport was severely limited.

Question 10

Which organisation was set up to revelop the London Docklands in 1981?

Answer 10

London Docklands Development Corporation

Question 11

Redevelopment of London Docklands

Answer 11

• Housing: 24,000 houses were built including 6250 housing association.
• Transport: Docklands Light Railway (DLR) opened in 1987, which cut journey times into central London by 20%.
• Education: New schools and colleges were built, and existing ones were improved.
• Environment: Docks were refurbished, and outdoor spaces were constructed.
• Economy: Made into an enterprise zone. By 1998, there were 2,700 businesses and 85,000 new jobs created. Attracting £7.7 billion in investment.

Question 12

Negative impacts of the London Docklands redevelopment

Answer 12

• Conflict between original and newer and more affluent residents.
• Many of the original residents were unable to work in the new businesses.
• Most of the new jobs (e.g. banking) were skilled but many of the original residents were not qualified for this work.

Question 13

Management of the impacts of the London Docklands redevelopments

Answer 13

• 40% of new housing was to be sold to the original residents at an affordable price.
• Centres were set up to improve numeracy, literacy and IT skills, giving work experience and qualifications with the aim helping original residents to get new jobs.

Question 14

History - Hulme City

Answer 14

• In the mid-19th century, Hulme was one of the most deprived slums in the UK and it was deemed unfit for human inhabitation.
• Many communities were forced to move into new “overspill” estates.
• It underwent two redevelopments - one successful (1990s), and one unsuccessful (1960s).

Question 15

Redevelopment of Hulme City

Answer 15

• 3,000 new homes
• New developments encouraging investment. E.g. ASDA in Hulme
• New energy efficient homes
• A new community centre
• New office developments built
• The Hulme Arch was built (new landmark)
• More students due to close proximity to the city centre.
• Improved reputation

Question 16

Failures of the Hulme City redevelopment project

Answer 16

• Students moving to the area are not contributing to the community.
• House prices have risen.
• There is still a level of crime / gang networks.
• The area now requires a complex management system.

Question 17

Preston Road, Hull - History

Answer 17

• Preston Road was the most deprived area of Hull.
• A £55m regeneration project was launched to address this.
• The scheme was only patially successful because it was cut short when Labour lost the 2010 General Election and the Coalition government withdrew funding.
• A consultation was used, which allowed the local community to get involved and give their opinions.

Question 18

Name of the organisation set up to redevelop Preston Road

Answer 18

Preston Road Neighbourhood Development Company

Question 19

Name of the scheme used in the redevelopment of Preston Road

Answer 19

New deal for communities.

Question 20

Proof that the Preston Road redevelopment was community-driven

Answer 20

The logo for the Preston Road Neighbourhood Development Company was designed by a pupil at a local high school.

Question 21

Redevelopment of Preston Road, Hull

Answer 21

• A new police station was built to address safety concerns and to stop anti-social behaviour.
• A ‘youth bus’ was set up to offer a wide range of services including health advice, workshops and information. This led to a decrease in youth crime rates.
• The NHS facility was open 9-5 weekdays and provided treatments for burns, cuts and stings.
• A new “freedom centre” opened up, acting like a community centre, hosting local events for residents.
• New housing started to be built.
• Hundreds of homes were built on the estate – replacing older derelict homes.

Question 22

Successes of the Preston Road, Hull redevelopment

q

Answer 22

• Community involvement was a key part of the scheme.
• The logo of the scheme was designed by a pupil at a local primary school.
• A resident’s association was set up to inform the local community and to increase local involvement in the project.

Question 23

Failures of the projectPreston Road, Hull redevelopment

Answer 23

• In 2010, the 10-year project and fundraising system was ended.
• The early ending to the scheme (cancelled by new Coalition government) meant the full plan for the area was not completed.

Question 24

What were Urban Development Corporations?

1979-1990s

Answer 24

• By 1979, many UK city centres were in catastrophic decline. The government created agencies called Urban Development Corporations (UDCs), which used private sector funding to restore derelict areas.
• The first UDCs were established in 1981 in the London Docklands. The main aim of the London Docklands UDC were to attract new business, improve the local environment, create jobs and build new houses for professionals.
• By 1993, twelve UDCs had been established, helping to redevelop some of the most rundown areas of the country. However, the UDCs were criticised for ignoring the needs of local residents, e.g. affordable homes and suitable jobs.

Question 25

What are Enterprise Zones?

1981-Present

Answer 25

• In 1981, Enterprise Zones (EZs) were established in areas with high unemployment. Their aim was to attract start-up companies to the area to create jobs – they did this by reducing tax, e.g. on corporations and land.
• By 1990, the EZs housed over 5000 companies, employment more than 125,000 people. However, tax reductions encouraged many existing companies to move their premises and staff to the EZs, which limited the number of new jobs that were created.

Question 26

What was City Challenge?

1991-1997

Answer 26

• In the City Challenge programme, local authorities competed for government funding to regenerate deprived urban areas. They worked with the local community and private companies to improve the physical, economic and social environment of the area.
• Funding was allocated to the projects that benefitted the local community, e.g. by improving housing, providing vocational training and creating jobs for local people. By 1997, over 50,000 jobs had been created and 40,000 houses improved. However, many deprived areas didn’t receive any funding.

Question 27

What are Partnership Schemes?

2000-Present

Answer 27

• Since 2010, the government has worked with private companies to provide financial support and expertise for urban regeneration – these are called partnership schemes.
• These schemes are designed to improve physical, economic and social conditions in deprived areas, e.g. by building new homes, providing parks and sport centres and reducing unemployment.
• For example, the Preston Road