studies have looked at the skills needed by professional and non-professionals in regeneration work. The importance of generic skills has been emphasised in work by Taylor et al (2004) for the Scottish Centre for Regeneration which proposed a four fold division into process, practical, strategic and specialised skills.

This provides the framework for this study. There has been little research into the specific contribution of surveyors to regeneration. It is usually regarded as specialised and limited, despite the intention of the RBIS to broaden the ambit of the profession.

Relatively few surveyors in Scotland focus on regeneration work, but those that do can claim considerable expertise. It is becoming a more important area, especially with policy emphasis on brownfield development and neighbourhood development. Their roles are in controlling and monitoring costs, project management and helping multidisciplinary teams.

Surveyors are not considered natural leaders in regeneration as their awareness of broader social and economic context is often poorer than their understanding of physical issues.

The main aim was to use the Community Regeneration Skills Framework developed by the SCR to help explore all aspects of skill development relating to RICS members in Scotland.

Four main methods were employed:

Each method had strengths and weaknesses but some very interesting insights could be gleaned in the current and potential involvement of Scottish chartered surveyors in regeneration.

Regeneration work represents a growing business opportunity for RCIS members. There are few highly skilled practitioners in the area. RCIS Scotland must implement a step change to create more experts. A plan should use the full spectrum of learning methods and enhance existing skills. Members can move towards the central regeneration stage in Scotland by seeking experience outside of their current employment.

There are four aspects to any action plan:

To meet the challenge of regeneration the RCIS should identify and take steps to become an increasingly reflective, learning and engaged profession.

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

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/06/2006

Department of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow and Peter Taylor, Consultancy and Research

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Urban restructuring, Brownfield development