First, we will focus on the commonalities of experience across the
eight cities. In every city there is an explicit commitment to
partnership-driven , local area development . This is not
particularly surprising, since “partnership is being introduced not only
into the language, but also in the structures, practices and processes
of EU policy making as a key part of attempt to counterbalance fears of
fragmentation with notions of integration , and as a means of mobilising
agencies and actors behind economic and social policy goals” (Geddes,
2000: 784). What partnership actually means, and how it works in
practice, however, varies both across cities and within cities.
Partnership is in other words a contested and contestable concept. Every
city shares a commitment to targeting those urban areas that are deemed
by virtue of their physical infrastructure and socio-economic profile to
be in need of regeneration. Generally, this approach has a statutory
basis and is informed by the following “locally” sensitive principles:
- Integrated approach
- Local focus
- Community engagement
- Time limited
- Project driven
Examples of the commonality of the local area development approach
at European city level :
Regeneration under the “socially inclusive urban development “ scheme means a continuation of Berlin's approach to urban regeneration with emphasis on: the integration of various approaches, the combination of city planning, housing policy, social and economic instruments, the linking of public, economic and private actors ( Berlin case study )
The Kvarterløft project in Copenhagen is based on three key principles:
Focus on the district (previous initiatives focused on the individual dwelling or the social problem)
Holistic-all dimensions of the district- social, economic, environmental and cultural are integrated into the plan
Public participation ( Copenhagen Cross city visit briefing )
Integrated Area plans (IAPs) were prepared for parts of urban areas in most need of physical and socio-economic rejuvenation, and identified targeted sub areas or key developments within them for which tax designation was sought.
The central strategy of the plan is the integration of policies , objectives and projects relating to the physical environment, economic renewal, education, community development and housing in order to bring about the sustainable regeneration of the area ( Dublin Case Study and Kilmainham-Inchicore IAP, Annual Report 1999-2000)
The City of Hamburg recognised that the traditional instrument of redevelopment (physical regeneration) is only a partial solution for the challenges posed in some neighbourhoods. Therefore the City defined areas with numerous socio-economic problems as “social focus”. Eight pilot areas were designated city wide in order to develop new models and structures of regeneration, The key fields of action identified were housing, trade/local economy, changed use of commercial locations, infrastructure and traffic ( Hamburg Case study ) |
Within the areas that are the targets of urban regeneration, a p
roject-based approach is the norm. In all cities, this involves the
development and implementation of partnership structures- public/public
and public/private- in the context of targeted urban projects the
objectives of which can generally be classified under five headings:
Commercial regeneration
Boxion project in Boxhangener Platz , Berlin
Living over the shop scheme, Dublin
Heritage preservation
Timber Balcony replacement scheme, Valletta
Re-development of Castle neighbourhood, Lisbon
Façade improvement, Vilnius
Environmental
Waste disposal project, Kongens Enghave, Copenhagen
Sunflower recycling, North Inner City, Dublin
Economic development
The Hills Trust Learning Academy , Glasgow
Development of a business-network for entrepreneurs, Hamburg
The Digital Hub, Dublin
Community/quality of life
Neighbourhood Fund, Wranglelkiez , Berlin
Holmbladsgade Neighbourhood Centre, Copenhagen
Renovation of owner-occupier homes in Vilnius
The cities differ in terms of the priority given/emphasis placed on
different aspects of the regeneration process. Although all subscribe to
a holistic approach, in practice, there are constraints on what can
actually be attempted and what can be achieved. Decisions about what to
regenerate and how to regenerate are conditioned by the prevailing
economic circumstances, the level of political support, the
socio-cultural context of the city and its historical legacy ,and the
particular background of the professionals charged with carrying out the
regeneration (architects, planners, economic consultants, social
entrepreneurs). While all cities adapt an integrated approach, each city
evolves its overall strategy by balancing three core objectives:
Economic regeneration: local economic development
Social regeneration : enhancement of quality of life
Symbolic regeneration: environmental upgrade and urban
aesthetisication |
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