A short description of the studied projects

Sweden

The "Stockholm" programme entitled Yterstadssatsningen (Outercity programme) and the public sponsored programme Storstadssatsningen (Greater city programme) are the first cases. The essence of these programmes is models/programmes to ensure citizen involvement and integration of the private sector, housing and education spheres. It is interesting to learn how different political circumstances can significantly alter the potential and preconditions for citizen involvement. The role of cultural and recreational/leisure investments is also described as important to the identity of the local areas.

In Sweden, the integration of the ethnic minorities into the workforce as well as the public institutional structure seems to be strong points.

France

The next case is from Lyon. Here focus is on the Lyon suburban neighbourhood of Vénissieux, which faces lots of social, economical and physical problems. Effort and resources are put into a strategy which includes a mix of financial investments (mixed public-private partnership), with the objective to decrease unemployment and enhance the neighbourhood' overall image. A public-relation and communication company has been very active in the latter.

Germany

In Berlin three areas are in focus:

• Prinzlauerberg (an area from the last century)

• Schillerpromenade (an area from the 40-50´s)

• Mahrzahn Nord Vest (northern Europe's largest concentration of concrete high- risings)

Prime attention will be the "Quartiermanagement" programme. The Quartiermanagement programme concentrates on socio-economic aspects and employment. In some of the areas it is connected to the urban renewal schemes, but the programme has been criticised because of its short duration (the programme only runs for 3 years).

The organisational structure will also be in focus, due too the fact that urban renewal in Mahrzahn is managed by a local secretariat with 2-3 employees, while it is managed by a external urban renewal office in Prinzlauerberg and Schillerpromenade.

USA

In The Bay Area, USA, three areas are in focus:

• Oakland (industrial city/sea-port)

• San Francisco (Chinatown)

• San Jose (Silicon Valley)

In Oakland where a large part of the population is Hispanic, the city centre is undergoing a revitalisation process. Berkeley University is through the federal "Outreach Programme" involved in the process. It is important to be aware of the role and potential that universities might play. In Oakland the necessary funding is provided through a collaboration of several actors and 10% is set aside for running a secretariat. Preliminary plans have taken place for the establishment of a shopping centre near the station, built on the present car park with the objective to improve/create life in the deteriorating city centre.

In San Francisco's Chinatown traditions for citizen mobilisation differ from Oakland. Here attention is given to citizen mobilisation and empowerment, rather than on partnerships and collaboration.

San Jose near Silicon Valley is somewhat special due to the low unemployment rate, the extremely high real estate prices, commuting and traffic congestion. To avert these problems one strategy is to attract IT-industries to the city. Known as the area with "the second gold rush" where ethnic affiliation does not play an important role for integration. Work and housing play a central role in the planning efforts. Focus on synergy effects and public-private partnerships.

Spain

The Bilbao case is a EU-project. It is named "Puerta Abierta" (Open Door). It concerns an inner city area with a very high unemployment rate. The key objectives of the project was to generate new business and employment opportunities in Bilbao La Vielja district. The project ran from 1993 to 1997 but the lessons drawn from this experience has fed into the future running of the project and further regenerations schemes in the area.

The project includes 3 centres of attraction: a cultural centre, a training and employment centre and a craft centre.

UK

The last case will be North Kensington Amenity Trust- a 35 years old organisation on the outskirts of London. It is a powerful partnership with its own land to develop. The local people have been very active in determining physical planning, and the organisation is still alive. It will be visited in early 2001.