EUKN - United Kingdom - Developing Buildings as Community Assets

Developing Buildings as Community Assets

Introduction

"Learning Points" share what people have learned from experience in regeneration: This is based on the belief that communities can gain long term benefits from taking responsibility for the ownership and control of buildings and developing them to meet community needs.

Description

This Learning Point captures the key lessons from the SCR Masterclass " Delivering Buildings as Community Assets", led by Lorraine Hart of the Environment Trust and focuses on issues that are important if agencies are to help communities successfully take on the challenges involved.

It outlines key challenges, what is already known, what has been learnt and what appropriate action can be taken towards community ownership of building assets. It focuses on what regeneration agencies can do better to help communities considering undertaking a building – centred strategy in their regeneration activity.

Background information

Communities are able to take increasing control over their future by the ownership of buildings as assets which are controlled and run by and for the community. This provides not only valuable income for the organisations involved but is able to react in a "non profit" manner to the needs of a community in terms of service provision in particular.

The process of acquisition, ownership, management and maintenance is also a valuable tool in enabling and empowering communities whilst providing skills and capacity within the community which can be transferred to other regeneration and community development activities.

Methodology

The guidance note sets out the important issues for communities in deciding to undertake the purchase and management of an asset – for example working with the community, deciding what is and is not an asset and whether it will genuinely assist community development.

Furthermore it provides advice on "what is known already", including the problems and barriers to overcome, and "what has been learnt" – in other words the best practice that has been learnt through experience in enabling a successful project to be undertaken.

Conclusions

A summary of a detailed can do guide to asset transfer and ownership/management for use by communities and organisations operating in and for the benefit of communities.

The key lessons are set out clearly and summarised as the need to:

Learn from those who have already developed assets;
Ensure that information on asset development is available;
Understand the balance between financial returns and community returns;
Develop specific guidance on how to undertake feasibility work;
Support people to get the best out of the advisors and professional involved .

Contact info

Communities Scotland (Scottish Centre for Regeneration)
Janette Campbell

Publication date

Project finished

/01/2007

Researcher

Communities Scotland (Scottish Centre for Regeneration)

Links

Visit the Scottish Centre for Regeneration website

Download the 'Developing Buildings as Community Assets' Report (PDF, Eng, 380 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Keywords

Community development