EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Learning Point 7: Successful regeneration: the practitioners view

Learning Point 7: Successful regeneration: the practitioners view

Introduction

This learning point records the views of practitioners working at project level in the regeneration field on what makes regeneration effective, and what factors helped or hindered them in the establishment of good practice.

Description

Focusing on Scotland, this learning point sets out regeneration practitioner perspectives on what makes for successful regeneration.

Practitioners were invited to offer their views on the topics of:

information sharing and collective action,
resources,
staff skills and training,
community participation in regeneration,
types of organisations which support regeneration projects
and systems and procedures.

Background information

A great deal of regeneration activity is taking place in Scotland. It is currently recognised that projects and groups involved in regeneration need to find new means of networking and sharing experiences, problems and solutions.

Although there are plenty of successful projects being carried out, it’s not always easy for others to find out about them. This learning point presents the views of practitioners with the aim of inspiring groups setting up regeneration projects.

Methodology

In 2004 the Scottish Centre for Regeneration produced 24 profiles of projects engaged in regeneration in Scotland. They also gathered data on the views of people involved in the projects about what factors made the project successful and what inhibited it.

The profiles were published online in order to provide a database and a place to share effective practice experience, stimulate people in the field to network, and are encouraging projects to include themselves in the database in future. This learning point presents the points of view of these practitioners.

Conclusions

The term regeneration isn’t always useful for marketing. It might be better to include ‘regeneration’ under the theme of anti-poverty work as this attracts strong commitment.
Community engagement is considered by most to be essential.
Committed staff, willing to go the extra mile are vital in achieving effective practice.
Management information provides valuable evidence of the quality of regeneration work, and allows organisations to target existing resources.
Initiatives that focus on achieving ‘quality of life’ outcomes are most likely to be effective.
Differences between funding priorities and specific community needs must be dealt with creatively.

Contact info

Scottish Centre for Regeneration
scr@communitiesscotland.gsi.gov.uk

Publication date

Project finished

//2005

Researcher

Scottish Centre for Regeneration

Links

Visit the Scottish Centre for Regeneration website

Download the 'Learning Point 7: Successful regeneration: the practitioners view' Report (PDF, Eng, 660 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Keywords

Community development