The report focuses on liveability in English cities and urban areas in terms of quality of space and the built environment. It explores issues relating to the use of a place and how safe it feels. It considers what is involved in creating and maintaining a sense of place by creating an environment that is both inviting and enjoyable.

This is one of a series of six thematic reports associated with the State of the English cities report (SOCR). These reports together provide the detailed evidence on which the main findings presented in the State of the English cities report are based. The six thematic reports are:

A comparison of public attitudes in urban and non-urban areas across different regions is also part of the SOCR report.

A data and literature review looked at two primary elements. The first concentrated on the current state of liveability in England, while the second concentrated on methodological concerns connected with the analysis of liveability in terms of the availability and type of information. Case studies developed the former of these areas, bringing the level of analysis down from the national to city/local level information.

The study offers a cautious yes to the question of whether English cities are becoming more or less “liveable”, on most indicators, though not on all counts, and finds that the evidence base is often very thin. The study’s conclusions are particularly positive in terms of urban management/cleanliness. They are less so in terms of broader environmental pollution. They suggest that conditions have improved in both central and inner urban areas. Notes that it is difficult to say if any particular groups are greater or lesser beneficiaries.

Department for Communities and Local Government
Phone: +44 (0)20 7944 4400
contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk

29/11/2006

Llewlyn Davies Yeang

research

Urban Policy > Transport and infrastructure > Services & amenities

Public space