Regeneration EQ3

Question 1

The role of national government

Answer 1

• UK government is responsible for considering level of inequality across the country, as disparity between places does not aid overall development of the country
• There is a clear and evident gap between north and south of the UK. Lack of investment in rail infrastructure in the north east has led to some large inequalities and lack of labour mobility
• Spending on infrastructure in London is £2700 per person per year, compared to only £5 in north east

Question 2

Infrastructure investment- Northern Hub

Answer 2

• This involves a series of improvements to the railway network around Manchester
• It also includes an series of electrification projects to allow for cheaper, faster and longer electric trains. Improving access for a larger labour pool should see business increase
• It is hoped that the initial £600 million investment eventually yields £2.4 billion in economic growth

Question 3

Infrastructure investment- HS2

Answer 3

• This is a proposed high-speed railway link between London, Leeds and Manchester
• This will help to reduce congestion in the core of London. It is estimated that by 2025, road congestion would cost the UK £22 billion each year in lost time
• An estimated 60,000 jobs in construction would also be created

Question 4

Policies of the national government

Answer 4

• Planning decisions: plans for development can have a significant impact on natural environment and people’s lives, but the decision may be deemed as a national interest. The government can make design that affect the rate and type of development. An example is the fracking debate, whereby the UK will be importing 70% by 2020 meaning domestic supplies need to be explored as a national interest despite the conflict it may cause with locals or environmentalists
• International deregulation: The deregulation of capital markets since the 1970s has allowed companies to locate to the UK much easier, and foreign companies to invest in UK infrastructure. The City Of London has an overall industry worth £95 billion
• Migration policy: opening the borders to migration is another decision that has helped the regeneration of local areas. An example of this can be seen in Corby. It was a previously a town with an ageing population and low-skilled work force, however since the migration of east European entrepreneurs in 2006, businesses have been set up, with crime and antisocial behaviours being reduce by 50% since 2006, clearing indicating the success of this form of regeneration

Question 5

The role of the local government

Answer 5

• Local governments are keen to encourage innovation and investment, both from within the UK and overseas
• Local councils may use a range of different incentives to attract or keep communities that might improve the reputation of an area

Question 6

Science parks- Cambridge

Answer 6

• Since the 1970s, cities and towns have worked with major universities, such as Cambridge, to focus on the commercialisation of research, by ensuring the right infrastructure is in place, to attract established technology companies as well as innovative start-ups seeking to pioneer new research

Question 7

Local-decision making

Answer 7

• Major regeneration projects require the cooperation of many local interest groups
• It is usually the job of the local council or authority to ensure this is achieved
• There is potential for conflicts to occur when different stakeholders that have different aims require different things from a regeneration project

Question 8

Regeneration in Aylesbury (waterside theatre)- conflicts between players

Answer 8

• This project began in 2003, however was initially delayed by the Environmental Agency due to contamination of land, which had been the site of a previous power station and oil depot
• The construction involved a theatre and university, as well as a variety of shops and restaurants. Plans for more restaurants and shops met resistance from established restaurants in the town centre
• The most recent phase received the most resistance was plans to demolish a variety of historical buildings for redevelopment. A local agency known as Aylesbury Society protested

Question 9

Regeneration in Stratford- Olympic Park

Answer 9

• Many of the original sports structures are still there
• Building of the Stratford Shopping Centre
• The Olympic village has been converted into 2800 flats and apartments
• 7000 additional home will be built on the edge of the park in the international quarter
• Transport for London and Financial Conduct Authority are just two organisations having offices in the park, which should eventually create 25,000 new jobs
• The success of the regeneration is evident through unemployment rate lowering from 13% to 9% between 2012 and 2015

Question 10

Urban rebranding strategy- Titanic Quarter

Answer 10

• This involves taking advantage of the industrial heritage of the area being the region where the Titanic was built
• This development involves building of heritage centre and marina as well as variety of consumer shops
• The region received 1 million visitors in the first year of opening, 70% of which were from outside of Northern Island
• As of 2015, it had yielded £105 million worth of additional tourism, which helped fund 900 new jobs in the Belfast economy
• However, the socio-political unrest since the 1960s known as the Troubles may have limited outside investment

Question 11

Rural rebranding strategy- Brontë Country

Answer 11

• This is an example of a rebranding strategy in a rural area that also takes advantage of it’s heritage being the place where the Brontë sisters lived
• It consists of Fait Trade Way that takes visitors through the historical sites that appear in the books
• It also includes other attractions such as a bus museum, outdoor activities such as force riding and mountain biking, and farms that have diversified their land due to EU grants and subsidies