This report aimed to investigate the extent to which the two local strategic partnerships covering six neighbourhood renewal areas under examination recognised the environmental concerns of the different (and in particular disadvantaged) local neighbourhoods they represent.

It looks at what the local environmental concerns of residents were, why addressing these concerns is important for neighbourhood renewal and what can be done to better integrate local environmental concerns into neighbourhood renewal. The report identifies good practice in this respect and develops recommendations.

A number of previous JRF studies funded under the ‘Reconciling environmental and social concerns’ programme have identified that neighbourhood renewal policies in England are failing to adequately address the local environmental concerns (such as dog fouling, litter, abandoned cars, poorly maintained public spaces and graffiti) of people living in poor neighbourhoods.

This report looks at the implications of this neglect for the successful renewal of these neighbourhoods and on levels of community engagement in the process.

This report describes case study research with local residents and Neighbourhood Managers in six neighbourhood renewal areas and the two local strategic partnerships responsible for overseeing this process.

The report argues that the failure of neighbourhood renewal policies to adequately address the local environmental concerns of people living in poor neighbourhoods significantly contributes to the stigmatisation of these neighbourhoods.

This neglect can also serve to undermine the willingness of local people to engage with the renewal process. It details a number of recommendations for the better integration of local environmental concerns into neighbourhood renewal.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
publications@jrf.org.uk

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//2004

Karen Lucas, Sara Fuller, Anthony Psaila and Diana Thrush

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Citizens' participation