‘Regeneration’ in a time of austerity will mean the death of this metaphor, but what will come next?

Abstract

Regeneration as it came to be experienced over the past fifteen years or so is in retreat. This metaphor of physical regrowth and moral revival is in danger of losing its previous meaning, suffering from a terminal prognosis in light of severe austerity cuts. There is an ideological drive behind the cuts, with real impacts on welfare, on communities and local economies, accompanied by a harsh, if Victorian-like, language about the poor. Yet, there are other concepts in play, wrapped up in rhetoric about the Big Society and localism, there are those who advocate a Red Tory or Blue Labour approach to a virtuous defence of communities and individuals. It is here that regeneration may take a new and challenging turn.