EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - RESTATE – Regenerating large housing estates in Europe

RESTATE – Regenerating large housing estates in Europe

Introduction

This publication, issued by the RESTATE project, provides information about the successes, problems and measures involved in the restructuring of European problem districts.

Description

The Restructuring Large-scale Housing Estates in European Cities (RESTATE) project conducted research into large-scaled suburban housing estates in several European cities. In its publication entitled “Regenerating Large Housing Estates in Europe: A Guide to better Practice”, RESTATE makes its findings available to design and construction agencies, politicians and housing organisations. This publication offers insight into the problems of Europe’s large-scaled suburban housing estates and provides practical measures to deal with these problem districts.

This publication is an attempt to answer the following question:
Which are the success factors and the hindrances to success in these large-scaled suburban housing estates and how can the living conditions in these districts be improved?

The findings of this RESTATE study are available online in English and are grouped into success factors, problems and improvement measures per suburb.

The RESTATE study was conducted in London, Birmingham, Stockholm, Jönköping, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Lyon, Milan, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Ljubljana, Koper, Budapest, Nyíregyháza and Warsaw.

Methodology

The opportunities and hindrances in suburban residential districts were assessed according to the following criteria:

physical infrastructure;
economic opportunities;
demographic and socio-cultural characteristics;
living conditions;
safety.

EU involvement

The RESTATE project is financed by the European Union’s Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development research programme.

Conclusions

In Eastern Europe, most homes located in suburbs are owned by their residents. In Western Europe, most homes are owned by housing organisations.
Many European problem districts are confronted with similar problems, but there appear to be no clear-cut solutions because the underlying causes are different. In spite of this diversity, politicians can often make use of knowledge acquired by other European cities when restructuring their own districts.
To improve the quality of these suburban housing districts, the residents must cooperate with each other and tolerate one another. Of special concern in this regard are resident participation, gender and ethnic dividing lines.
Authorities and housing organisations can take various measures to improve the standard of living in problem districts. The most radical solution is demolition followed by new development. The parties involved can also invest in public space, safety and social cohesion in the district. The degree to which social and ethnic diversity contributes to a better living environment, however, is unclear.
The involvement of partners is effective in dealing with problems in the district. Having more involved parties generates more funding and capacity and creates synergy. However, a policy will only be successful when all parties involved endorse its objectives.

Contact info

RESTATE
R. van Kempen (Professor), tel. +31 30 2531399

Publication date

01/01/2006

Article info
ISBN: 90-6266-259-5

Links

RESTATE Extensive overview of results of the RESTATE study

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Keywords

Housing estate redevelopment