Regeneration in the north of England: One step forward, two steps back

Abstract

A combination of a protracted economic downturn and changes to the national government in England has had a detrimental impact on the progress made in regenerating urban areas and creating sustainable communities in the north of England. Over the last 10–15 years, the public sector has played a leading role in urban regeneration. During this period, local authorities had access to a range of funds (albeit time limited), but these have been severely cut, and local government is currently struggling to continue major regeneration projects. When eventually there is an economic recovery, it is unlikely that local authorities will have the capacity and capability to respond to the challenge and any new regeneration opportunities. The devolution of power to local people (localism) advocated by the national government in England does not make up for the diminishing resources available to local government. Substantial progress has been made in the last decade or so in tackling deprivation and revitalising urban areas in northern England, but this takes time. The eagerness of the Coalition Government to abolish regeneration bodies without putting in place succession/transition plans leaves the north of England with a potential legacy of socio-economic dislocation and environmental blight in the urban areas for years to come.