EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Signposts to sustainable communities. Lessons from the Exemplar Learning Programme 2006

Signposts to sustainable communities. Lessons from the Exemplar Learning Programme 2006

Introduction

The RENEW Exemplar Learning Programme (2006) identifies 13 projects that provide key lessons in successfully achieving sustainable communities and regeneration – the research is aimed at key decision makers and practitioners.

Description

This is the second in a series of good practice research papers which draws out important lessons with regard to the goal of creating sustainable communities.

The research paper is in part a response to the Egan Review (2004) in which a need for an improved evidence base with regards to the skills to support sustainable communities was identified.

The paper identifies 5 exemplar projects out of a total 13 good practice case studies. All case studies provide an overview of the project followed by the key learning points associated with the project.

Background information

The research paper is in part a response to the Egan Review (2004) in which a need for an improved evidence base with regards to the skills to support sustainable communities was identified.

Methodology

The research paper is based on 13 case studies, which were subsequently short listed down to 5 exemplar projects. For each case study an overview is provide of the main issues / difficulties in establishing the project and subsequently the critical success factors and key learning points associated with each project.

The paper is aimed at key decision makers and also practitioners and thus has some strategic and practical lessons.

Conclusions

A number of overarching learning points emerged from the projects reviewed, which can be summarised as follows:

Establish strong and effective governance arrangements from the start of the project.
Establish honest and open lines of communication between partners.
Projects should always look to identify good practice to aid the way they work.
A focus on innovative thinking, visionary leadership and bold decision making are essential.
Projects should have a good focus between evidence based interventions and opportunistic developments.
Effective partnership working is important in defining roles.
Public engagement and community ownership are key.

Contact info

Renew North West
info@RENEW.co.uk

Publication date

Project finished

//2006

Researcher

Professor Peter Roberts, professor of Regional Planning, The University of Liverpool

Links

http://www.renew.co.uk/

Download the 'Exemplar Learning Programme 2006' (PDF, Eng, 745 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Social inclusion & integration