Urban regeneration – the ingredients for long-term success.

In the context of a national ambition to build at scale and at pace – <1.5 million homes target, proposed penalties for housebuilders not building quickly enough, and potential fast-tracking of large-scale planning applications – it’s important that we also think further into the future and don’t ignore the importance of driving forward meaningful regeneration projects. 

These projects – which are complex with many players and moving parts and often take years to come forward – will help to deliver a large proportion of the homes and social infrastructure needed across the country, while importantly improving outcomes for communities and driving growth. 

The group we brought together agreed the most important step in delivering successful regeneration is setting a clear vision. What will be created and how will it benefit current and future communities? Looking beyond the physical assets – of housing, infrastructure, commercial spaces – how can a regeneration project enhance the wellbeing of communities, lead to better public health, or improve access to education and employment?

That vision needs to be agreed at the outset and shared by the partners involved, both public and private.  And the fact it will take a long time to make that vision a reality also needs to be understood by parties on both sides of the table.

We also discussed the fact that successful regeneration can and should play a role in creating diverse communities. This can be done through creating a varied housing mix, including the delivery of affordable, rental and later living housing (which, when done well, can create truly intergenerational communities in urban areas).

Schemes should be designed in a way that considers the needs of all members of society. For instance, ensuring walking and cycling infrastructure is suited to the needs of women with small children or delivering commercial and community spaces tailored for teenagers.

Transport infrastructure must be delivered in a way that suits those in different types of employment, including people commuting by bus, train, bike – and we also need to provide the infrastructure to support those who need access to a vehicle for their work.

We often think of housing as the catalyst for regeneration – but what if other infrastructure came first?  We discussed Utrecht’s train station as a repeatable example of transport-led regeneration and debated whether community and social infrastructure such as leisure centres, parks and art spaces could be used as the basis for impactful schemes.

Our discussion also focused on the importance of working with existing, and evolving, communities when delivering a regeneration scheme.  It’s essential to understand the people and places that make an area what it is and bring them along on the journey – while picking up new members of the community along the way.

When people feel part of something, they are more likely to take on the long-term stewardship of a place. This includes continually engaging with growing communities as long-term regeneration schemes are delivered.  The planning system should be flexible enough so that plans for schemes can change as needed over time, as communities grow and their needs become more apparent.

You can read the takeaways from our breakfast discussion below.