This core module introduces students to a range of different perspectives on community regeneration – for example, health, sustainability and social enterprise - defined broadly to cover urban, rural and small-scale neighbourhood communities.  Each of these perspectives has its merits, its supporters and its detractors and students are encouraged to critically examine the scope and limits of each one. 

• demonstrate a critical awareness and understanding of current debates – covering theory, policy and practice – in the field of community regeneration and alternative approaches to regeneration
• locate the various approaches to regeneration within the context of the broad realm of regeneration policy and practice, appreciating the significance of area-based policy integration (‘joined-up’ policy) in the design and delivery of regeneration policy
• make a constructive and reflective contribution to the design and evaluation of regeneration policy.

 

This module initially comprises a series of lectures, covering relevant theories and concepts and different approaches to regeneration.  These are augmented by guest lecturers, who will provide practitioner and policymaker perspectives.  Lectures are also an opportunity for questions and open discussion.

Students then form small project teams in order to conduct a critical evaluation of a regeneration project or approach of their choice. This requires students to interact with a range of public, private and third sector organisations.  The team project work is assisted by workshops on the process and support sessions during which teams update on progress and can seek advice.

A one day field visit will assist project groups to gain more practical perspectives on community regeneration.

The project work offers students an opportunity to develop their professional skills (in, for example, interviewing, communication and presentation, problem-solving and boundary spanning). 

Group Presentation (25%)

Group Report (50%)

Individual Contribution (25%)

 

The module begins by surveying different conceptions of what we actually mean by ‘development’.  It offers an overview of the leading approaches to regeneration, including the community-based social economy approach; the potential of public procurement; the development of sustainable places; and health and well-being initiatives.  The module also provides international comparative perspectives. 

Cochrane, A. (2007). Understanding Urban Policy: A Critical Approach, Oxford, Oxford University Press. 

Cropper, S et al (2007) Community Health and Wellbeing (Policy Press) 

European Commission (2004) Buying Green! A Handbook on Environmental Public Procurement

Eurocities (2005) Guide to Responsible Procurement

Field, F (2010) The Foundation Years: preventing poor children becoming poor adults (HM Government) 

Layard, R (2006) Happiness: Lessons From A New Science (Penguin) 

Morgan, K (2008) Greening the Realm: sustainable food chains and the public plate. Regional Studies, Volume 42 (9) 

Morgan, K. and R. Sonnino (2010) The School Food Revolution: Public Food and the Challenge of Sustainable Development London: Earthscan 

Murray, R (1999) Creating Wealth From Waste, Demos, London 

Murray, R (2002) Zero Waste, Greenpeace Environmental Trust, London 

New Economics Foundation (NEF) (2002) Plugging the Leaks (www.neweconomics.org) 

New Economics Foundation (NEF)  (2005) Public Spending for Public Benefit

Nussbaum, M (2000) Women and Human Development (CUP) 

Nussbaum, M. and Sen, A. (eds) (1993) The Quality of Life, Clarendon Press, Oxford 

Sen, A (1999) Development as Freedom, Oxford, Oxford University Press 

Sen, A (2010) The Idea of Justice (Penguin) 

TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) Pricing the priceless - The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversityhttp://www.teebweb.org 

Wilkinson, R. (1996) Unhealthy Societies: The Afflictions of Inequality, Routledge, London 

Wilkinson, R and Pickett, K (2009) The Spirit Level: why more equal societies almost always do better (Penguin) 

World Health Organization (2008) Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health, WHO, Geneva 

United Nations (annual) Human Development Report (New York)

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