Five scalar challenges and barriers to innovative practice in regeneration management

Abstract

Innovation has increasingly been come to be seen as a way of cutting the contemporary Gordian knot facing contemporary regeneration, the need to drive social and physical regeneration simultaneously in deprived communities. This assumption, however, is undercut by a very simplistic and linear model of innovation, which assumes that simply being innovative — or even imitative — is enough for good regeneration management. This paper reviews innovation literatures to explore the potential of innovative practice to contribute to regeneration serving both social and physical goals. The review highlights the increasingly interpersonal nature of innovation, and underlines the need for good innovative regeneration to stimulate professionals and communities to mobilise into shared ‘innovation coalitions’. Through working together on an arduous journey, these groups build knowledge and legitimacy, and can help to improve the outcomes of regeneration projects.