Heritage-based regeneration in an age of austerity: Lessons from the Townscape Heritage Initiative

Abstract

This paper draws on extensive longitudinal empirical research into the effectiveness of heritage-based urban investment in the regeneration of socially deprived communities. The Townscape Heritage Initiative research project, has examined 16 cases across the UK over a 12-year period, monitoring and evaluating the impacts of investment in the built fabric across a range of themes, including quality of life, economic activity, confidence and appearance. The 16 cases were surveyed in 2000, 2006 and 2011, which is to say, prior to any investment activity, at the point of most positive change and three or four years into the current recession. The research has produced some robust findings in relation to the effects of the recession and the resilience of regeneration benefits accruing from the programme. In presenting and discussing these findings, the paper draws some grounded conclusions regarding the capacity of heritage-led regeneration initiatives to withstand the impacts of the economic downturn, and proposes a number of criteria for assessing the likely resilience of regeneration initiatives in deprived communities.