EQ4: How successful is regeneration?

Question 1

Why might regeneration favour long-term over short-term gains?

Answer 1

LONG-TERM REGENERATION OVER SHORT-TERM

1. Regeneration favours a long-running process over a quick fix, despite political and economic pressures for speed.
   a) Events designed as a catalyst (Olympics) may be successful in attracting visitors and investment.
   b) Creating a legacy of success, which tackles more systematic and longstanding issues of inequality and poor environment, may be more problematic.
2. Evidence of success is difficult to quantify, with many variables in regeneration and its outcomes/timeframes (immediate vs long term).
3. Regeneration that tackles the built-up environment (better transport links, provision and upgrading of retail space, creation of green space, parks and public areas and improvements in housing) will have a positive impact on health and also act to draw people to live there.
4. Yet general improvements in aesthetics, security and safety through redesign are common regeneration components.
5. Yet regeneration projects can force locals out due to compulsory purchase or inflation of rent prices.

Question 2

What is a legacy and catalyst?

Answer 2

LEGACY
- Refers to the longer-term effects of a regeneration scheme; it can be positive or negative. It is judged on the reuse of any landmark buildings for an event, the amount of government support needed, the level of private investment and whether the local people benefit long term.

CATALYST
- The method used or event that starts a regeneration scheme, such as the building of a new shopping mall, leisure facility, creation of a country park or holding an event.

Question 3

What is social progress?

Answer 3

SOCIAL PROGRESS

- Relates to how an individual and community improve their relationship status in society and over time.

Question 4

What is an Area Based Initiative?

Answer 4

AREA BASED INITIATIVE
- ABI’s aim to improve selected people or places within a specific location and include educational attainment, enhancing crime prevention and reducing unemployment.

Question 5

What is Baseline Data?

Answer 5

BASELINE DATA
- The information used to compare present-day characteristics with, for example, past land-use maps, photographs and statistics.

Question 6

What measures can be used to measure deprivation?

Answer 6

DEPRIVATION MEASURES

• All data from these 7 indicators are collated for all 32,844 LSOA (Lower Super Output Area) and averaged.
• Each indicator is then ranked and divided into ten equal bands (deciles).
• LSOA ranked within decile 1 are amongst the 10% most deprived LSOA.
• Those ranked within decile 10 are amongst the 10% least deprived.
• The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is an overall measure of deprivation (which combines all indicators into a single index.
• Looking at changes in indicators before and after a regeneration scheme will help measure its success.
• The spiral of rural decline is a useful model in rural places, to show whether it has been broken or reduced by regeneration programmes.

A. ECONOMIC CHANGE

1. Income Deprivation: Measures the proportion of people out of work or experiencing deprivation linked to low income. If people’s incomes increase, it’s believed that the regeneration has been successful, yet relative to which players gain most. Regeneration increases opportunities, but outsiders may take new jobs rather than locals.
2. Employment Deprivation: Measures the percentage of working-age people who would like to work but cannot (due to unemployment, sickness, disability, or care responsibilities).
3. Poverty: Poverty is relative to the place and time people live in. The poverty threshold used in the UK is households with an income of less than 60% of the national median after housing costs are included.

B. SOCIAL PROGRESS WITH DEMOGRAPHIC STABILITY

4. Education Skills and Training Deprivation: Measures the lack of educational attainment (Not 5 GCSEs at grade C or above) and skills in the population.
5. Health Deprivation and Disability/Demographic Changes: Measures the risk of premature death and the reduction in quality of life caused by poor physical or mental health.
6. Crime: Measures the risk of personal and material crime.
7. Barriers to Housing and Services: Measures both financial and affordability of housing and the proximity to local services score with local services (London boroughs score badly).

C. LIVING ENVIRONMENT

8. Living environment deprivation - Local environmental quality. a). INTERNAL including housing quality and structure (overcrowding, shared or facilities: without central heating) and b). EXTERNAL features (having access to open green areas, reduction in air pollution and level of traffic.
9. Reduction in abandoned and derelict land: Normally associated with ex-manufacturing areas and redundant infrastructure (power plants).