Dave O’Brien (University of Edinburgh, UK) published in IPPR Progressive Review Volume 26 Issue 2 (Autumn 2019)
Abstract
Is cultural policy a problem or a solution for social inequality?
Full text (PDF 10pp)
In view of the shortness of the abstract, and to save you reading the whole article, here are some of the highlights.
“cultural policy can be both the least and the most important area of government. Yet it remains neglected”
“two sets of problems for cultural policy: inequalities that are within the cultural sector; and the impact of culture on social inequalities more generally”
“the impact of culture on criminal justice, education, urban regeneration and health has not been fully embraced by government”
“much more detailed and strategic thinking is needed to change the relationship between cultural organisations and sections of the public”
“The cultural sector has to take responsibility for its role in the continued exclusions of those who do not replicate the white, middle‐class standard that dominates the cultural sector”
Showing posts with label regeneration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label regeneration. Show all posts
Monday, 30 September 2019
Wednesday, 20 March 2019
Land in urban debates: Unpacking the grab–development dichotomy
Femke van Noorloos and Griet Steel (Utrecht University, The Netherlands) and Christien Klaufus (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) published in Urban Studies Volume 56 Issue 5 (April 2019)
Abstract
On the heels of the rural ‘land grab’ debate, the ongoing urban transition combined with large-scale urban infrastructure investments and land scarcity forces us to also pay more attention to issues of land in urban discussions.
Yet how can we conceptualise land-related problems in order to connect and integrate rural and urban debates in overarching discussions of development? In this commentary, we argue for moving beyond the directly visible outcomes and presumed ‘culprits’ of land investments by critically analysing indirect and long-term effects of land acquisitions on people’s livelihoods as well as the differentiation of these effects for different actors.
We propose three specific arguments to disentangle the grab–development dichotomy:
Full text (PDF 13pp)
Abstract
On the heels of the rural ‘land grab’ debate, the ongoing urban transition combined with large-scale urban infrastructure investments and land scarcity forces us to also pay more attention to issues of land in urban discussions.
Yet how can we conceptualise land-related problems in order to connect and integrate rural and urban debates in overarching discussions of development? In this commentary, we argue for moving beyond the directly visible outcomes and presumed ‘culprits’ of land investments by critically analysing indirect and long-term effects of land acquisitions on people’s livelihoods as well as the differentiation of these effects for different actors.
We propose three specific arguments to disentangle the grab–development dichotomy:
- placing a focus on the sequential chain of effects of displacement;
- paying more attention to the ambivalent roles and contradictory interests of different actors; and
- taking the three-dimensional aspects of land development into account.
Full text (PDF 13pp)
Monday, 19 February 2018
The revenge of the places that don't matter
a column by Andrés Rodríguez-Pose for VOX: CEPR’s Policy Portal
Persistent poverty, economic decay and lack of opportunities cause discontent in declining regions, while policymakers reason that successful agglomeration economies drive economic dynamism, and that regeneration has failed. This column argues that this disconnect has led many of these ‘places that don’t matter’ to revolt in a wave of political populism with strong territorial, rather than social, foundations. Better territorial development policies are needed that tap potential and provide opportunities to those people living in the places that ‘don’t matter’.
Continue reading
Persistent poverty, economic decay and lack of opportunities cause discontent in declining regions, while policymakers reason that successful agglomeration economies drive economic dynamism, and that regeneration has failed. This column argues that this disconnect has led many of these ‘places that don’t matter’ to revolt in a wave of political populism with strong territorial, rather than social, foundations. Better territorial development policies are needed that tap potential and provide opportunities to those people living in the places that ‘don’t matter’.
Continue reading
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Exploring Change in Local Regeneration Areas: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities Programme in England
an article by Paul Lawless and Christina Beatty (Sheffield Hallam University, UK) published in Urban Studies Volume 50 Number 5 (April 2013)
Abstract
For many years, United Kingdom governments have instigated urban regeneration schemes.
The 1998–2011 New Deal for Communities Programme was designed to change 39 deprived English areas, with regard to place-based, and people-based outcomes.
Change data for all NDC areas from a common base-line can be used to establish relative rates of change across these neighbourhoods. Three sets of factors might help to explain why some areas saw more change than others: NDC Partnership-level activities; characteristics of NDC areas; and the wider local authority context.
Results suggest that little change can be attributed to the characteristics or activities of NDC Partnerships themselves.
This raises questions relating to the ability of regeneration schemes to instigate positive change, the limited nature of people-based change, the perverse role of educational spend and differential change across clusters of deprived areas.
Abstract
For many years, United Kingdom governments have instigated urban regeneration schemes.
The 1998–2011 New Deal for Communities Programme was designed to change 39 deprived English areas, with regard to place-based, and people-based outcomes.
Change data for all NDC areas from a common base-line can be used to establish relative rates of change across these neighbourhoods. Three sets of factors might help to explain why some areas saw more change than others: NDC Partnership-level activities; characteristics of NDC areas; and the wider local authority context.
Results suggest that little change can be attributed to the characteristics or activities of NDC Partnerships themselves.
This raises questions relating to the ability of regeneration schemes to instigate positive change, the limited nature of people-based change, the perverse role of educational spend and differential change across clusters of deprived areas.
Monday, 21 January 2013
The return of place in Scottish social policy
an article by Peter Matthews (Heriot-Watt University, UK) published in Local Economy Volume 28 Number 1 (February 2013)
Abstract
The current austerity in the UK public finances is having knock-on effects for the Scottish Government. Public servants in Scotland talk of the ‘scissors of doom’ – of rising demand for public services and falling revenue expenditure.
In response to these pressures the Scottish Government set up the Independent Budget Review in 2010 and Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services in 2011, both of which have reported.
As a result of these reports, and a wider push towards an outcomes approach in Scottish policy, Scotland is now witnessing a return to place-based policies, or area-based initiatives focused at specific neighbourhoods. This viewpoint reports on these changes, and with reference to wider literature, comments on their suitability for tackling Scotland’s socio-economic challenges.
Abstract
The current austerity in the UK public finances is having knock-on effects for the Scottish Government. Public servants in Scotland talk of the ‘scissors of doom’ – of rising demand for public services and falling revenue expenditure.
In response to these pressures the Scottish Government set up the Independent Budget Review in 2010 and Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services in 2011, both of which have reported.
As a result of these reports, and a wider push towards an outcomes approach in Scottish policy, Scotland is now witnessing a return to place-based policies, or area-based initiatives focused at specific neighbourhoods. This viewpoint reports on these changes, and with reference to wider literature, comments on their suitability for tackling Scotland’s socio-economic challenges.
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Learning the lessons of property-led regeneration: Maximising the employment legacy of major physical developments
an article by Alexander McTier, Andrea Glass and Alan McGregor (affiliation(s) not provided) published in Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal Volume 6 Number 1 (Autumn 2012)
Abstract
The UK’s Urban Development Corporation property-led regeneration of the 1980s and 1990s has been widely criticised for its failure to leave an employment legacy for local communities. The trust placed in the jobs from major physical developments ‘trickling down’ to neighbouring deprived communities has been proved misguided.
However, despite these past failings, there still remain regeneration projects based around major physical developments that proceed without an explicit employment legacy aim.
To help address this, this paper revisits the lessons from 1980s and 1990s property-led regeneration policy and tests these against 13 local employment interventions linked to major physical developments across England and Scotland.
In assessing whether the lessons remain valid, the paper identifies the practical steps taken to maximise the local employment legacy from the 13 major physical developments, which in turn will help to inform future interventions.
Abstract
The UK’s Urban Development Corporation property-led regeneration of the 1980s and 1990s has been widely criticised for its failure to leave an employment legacy for local communities. The trust placed in the jobs from major physical developments ‘trickling down’ to neighbouring deprived communities has been proved misguided.
However, despite these past failings, there still remain regeneration projects based around major physical developments that proceed without an explicit employment legacy aim.
To help address this, this paper revisits the lessons from 1980s and 1990s property-led regeneration policy and tests these against 13 local employment interventions linked to major physical developments across England and Scotland.
In assessing whether the lessons remain valid, the paper identifies the practical steps taken to maximise the local employment legacy from the 13 major physical developments, which in turn will help to inform future interventions.
Friday, 23 November 2012
Incredible Edible – social and environmental entrepreneurship in the era of the “Big Society”
John Thompson (The Business School, University of Huddersfield, UK)
Social Enterprise Journal Volume 8 Issue 3 (2012)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to allow the exploration of social entrepreneurship, environmental improvement and volunteering in the context of the UK’s declared Big Society. Recently, there has been increased interest in “environmental” as well as social entrepreneurship. Volunteering is also an area of growing concern in policy circles, particularly with the advent of the “Big Society”, the UK Government’s vision of citizen involvement.
Design/methodology/approach
The case was written with both secondary and primary data and with the co-operation of Incredible Edible. Primary data include street questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders.
Findings
Incredible Edible is an environmental initiative started in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Basically community members – largely volunteers – have looked for opportunities where they could plant and grow fruits and vegetables that others could just help themselves to. Any spare land and space has been seen as suitable. From this the themes of local food growing and self sufficiency have taken over. Over a (short) period of years the initiative has grown and received considerable support from local stakeholders as well as extensive publicity. The initiative has attracted attention elsewhere and not just in the UK. But its real impact has been on the community and its sense of place.
Practical implications
The data have been used (so far) to write a case that traces the journey of the people behind the initiative, their motives and their impact. It explores a number of themes, namely:
The case demonstrates five important themes that could be seen as a litmus test for the effectiveness of projects and initiatives in the Big Society – namely the presence and commitment of a visionary who provides the purpose and direction, volunteers, velocity – and emergence, visibility, and value.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to allow the exploration of social entrepreneurship, environmental improvement and volunteering in the context of the UK’s declared Big Society. Recently, there has been increased interest in “environmental” as well as social entrepreneurship. Volunteering is also an area of growing concern in policy circles, particularly with the advent of the “Big Society”, the UK Government’s vision of citizen involvement.
Design/methodology/approach
The case was written with both secondary and primary data and with the co-operation of Incredible Edible. Primary data include street questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders.
Findings
Incredible Edible is an environmental initiative started in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Basically community members – largely volunteers – have looked for opportunities where they could plant and grow fruits and vegetables that others could just help themselves to. Any spare land and space has been seen as suitable. From this the themes of local food growing and self sufficiency have taken over. Over a (short) period of years the initiative has grown and received considerable support from local stakeholders as well as extensive publicity. The initiative has attracted attention elsewhere and not just in the UK. But its real impact has been on the community and its sense of place.
Practical implications
The data have been used (so far) to write a case that traces the journey of the people behind the initiative, their motives and their impact. It explores a number of themes, namely:
- social entrepreneurship in action;
- improving the local environment aesthetically;
- the Big Society and volunteering;
- the local economic and social impacts – a new sense of place;
- improved diets and healthy eating – but also the impact on other local businesses which sell rival food products;
- how local successes can be replicated elsewhere; and
- the sustainability of initiatives such as this.
The case demonstrates five important themes that could be seen as a litmus test for the effectiveness of projects and initiatives in the Big Society – namely the presence and commitment of a visionary who provides the purpose and direction, volunteers, velocity – and emergence, visibility, and value.
Friday, 11 May 2012
An Evaluation of the Layering and Legacy of Area-based Regeneration Initiatives in England: The Case of Wolverhampton
an article by Steven Henderson (School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton) published in Urban Studies Volume 49 Number 6 (May 2012)
Abstract
In England, there have been 40 years of area-based initiatives (ABIs) involving strategic national government intervention in local authority areas with significant regeneration needs. Whilst they have been examined individually, less consideration has been given to the layering and legacy of ABIs.
Uncertainties include whether local authorities have institutionalised new ways of operating or whether layering complexities have acted as significant barriers.
Focusing on Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands, this paper examines recent ABI experiences and discusses why support for City Challenge (1992–98) appeared stronger than the more recent New Deal for Communities programme (2001–11).
Important ABI legacies include greater diversity of neighbourhood structures, anxiety towards ABIs where property markets are depressed and the realisation that, whilst partnership working has intensified, traditional exclusionary aspects remain.
Achieving the most effective governance structures to facilitate urban regeneration remains an on-going challenge, including within emerging Coalition government policy frameworks.
Abstract
In England, there have been 40 years of area-based initiatives (ABIs) involving strategic national government intervention in local authority areas with significant regeneration needs. Whilst they have been examined individually, less consideration has been given to the layering and legacy of ABIs.
Uncertainties include whether local authorities have institutionalised new ways of operating or whether layering complexities have acted as significant barriers.
Focusing on Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands, this paper examines recent ABI experiences and discusses why support for City Challenge (1992–98) appeared stronger than the more recent New Deal for Communities programme (2001–11).
Important ABI legacies include greater diversity of neighbourhood structures, anxiety towards ABIs where property markets are depressed and the realisation that, whilst partnership working has intensified, traditional exclusionary aspects remain.
Achieving the most effective governance structures to facilitate urban regeneration remains an on-going challenge, including within emerging Coalition government policy frameworks.
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Access, widening participation and neighbourhood renewal: you can’t have one without the other
an article by John Diamond (Edge Hill University) in Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning Volume 10 Number 3
Abstract
This article argues that the contemporary debate or discourse on access and widening participation has been framed in such a way that ideas of community or place or locality have been written out. Current initiatives and policies have been shaped within an individualistic or personalised perspective. One consequence of this is that the widening participation debate has been deradicalised and depoliticised. The article seeks to make a policy and practice link between the initiatives on neighbourhood renewal or neighbourhood management and the way(s) in which access programmes on widening participation projects have been ‘delocalised’ and situated within an institutional or organisational setting. At the same time a number of separate but related developments have accentuated the distance between the access, widening participation and neighbourhood renewal debates. The article suggests that these developments include the decline in the focus of community development work at a local authority level, the changing and fragmented nature of local government and administration and the increase in regional networks to promote ‘access’ linked to the university and post-sixteen sectors. The paper article argues that neither of these two agencies are able to engage appropriately with the neighbourhood regeneration process. The article concludes by suggesting that key lessons of the earlier phase of access developments in the 1980s in the UK need to be re-imagined for a new generation of practitioners and participants, and that this is necessary as we are experiencing a ‘generational shift’ in those engaged with access and return-to-learn initiatives.
Abstract
This article argues that the contemporary debate or discourse on access and widening participation has been framed in such a way that ideas of community or place or locality have been written out. Current initiatives and policies have been shaped within an individualistic or personalised perspective. One consequence of this is that the widening participation debate has been deradicalised and depoliticised. The article seeks to make a policy and practice link between the initiatives on neighbourhood renewal or neighbourhood management and the way(s) in which access programmes on widening participation projects have been ‘delocalised’ and situated within an institutional or organisational setting. At the same time a number of separate but related developments have accentuated the distance between the access, widening participation and neighbourhood renewal debates. The article suggests that these developments include the decline in the focus of community development work at a local authority level, the changing and fragmented nature of local government and administration and the increase in regional networks to promote ‘access’ linked to the university and post-sixteen sectors. The paper article argues that neither of these two agencies are able to engage appropriately with the neighbourhood regeneration process. The article concludes by suggesting that key lessons of the earlier phase of access developments in the 1980s in the UK need to be re-imagined for a new generation of practitioners and participants, and that this is necessary as we are experiencing a ‘generational shift’ in those engaged with access and return-to-learn initiatives.
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