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URBED’s report for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation of major European regeneration success stories has important lessons for transforming people and places together so that vulnerable groups do not lose out. The report is based on two years research into three industrial cities that have been leading the way in Europe – the regeneration of the shipyards in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second city; a former dock area in Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port; and Roubaix, a former textile town in the Lille conurbation in north-east France. |
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Comparisons with similar places in the UK (Gateshead, Southwark and Bradford) revealed ten messages for policy that are highly relevant to moves to devolve economic power to local authorities, following the Treasury’s Sub National Review, and for providing the soft and hard infrastructure needed for sustainable growth:
1. Recognise that cities are in competition
2. Focus on the wider metropolitan area (or city regions)
3. Work together across boundaries, sectors and professions
4. Devolve real power and resources to city authorities
5. Provide incentives for sustainable success
6. Create attractive and balanced residential neighbourhoods
7. Invest in high quality infrastructure and public realm
8. Spread the benefits of economic development throughout the community
9. Build permanent delivery organisations and skills
10. Value the role of culture in regeneration
The summary concludes that ‘The changes to the regional planning and budgeting systems along with the introduction of Multi-Area Agreements for groups of local authorities provides an ideal opportunity for making the connections that have been missing in the past’.
The report forms part of a wider programme of research that JRF has commissioned on Transforming People and Places. URBED has also been drawing lessons from Berlin and Dutch cities for sustainable communities, as well as international experience with Eco-towns.
Further information on the study can be obtained from:
Anne Wyatt at URBED
E-mail A.Wyatt@urbed.co.uk or telephone 020 78319986
Katharine Knox, Principal Research Manager at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
E-mail Katharine.Knox@jrf.org.uk or telephone 01904 629241
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