Urban regeneration projects not only address the critical need for affordable housing but also create vibrant, sustainable environments. They create jobs, attract new residents and enhance the overall quality of life for community members.
Beyond the economic benefits, these projects strengthen community bonds, improve access to essential services, and promote a sense of pride and belonging among residents.
In some cases, they also help to reduce crime levels. For example, one study based in England showed that neighbourhood renewal programmes reduced the rates of property and violent crime by 10-25%.
In this article, we’ll explore a range of successful social housing and urban regeneration projects and the positive impacts they’ve had on local communities.
7 Successful Urban Regeneration and Housing Projects
1. The Goodwin Development Trust, Hull
Let’s start with perhaps the most unique success story of the list, which began through community action. The Goodwin Development Trust was founded in 1994, created by 14 residents from the Thornton Estate that wanted to improve the services available to the local community.
Shortly after the turn of the century, the Trust expanded their activities to include housing regeneration and later, construction. This was inspired by the fact that many locals were unable to access traditional housing options – as well as the fact that there were many empty properties in the city centre.
60 of those properties were renovated with funds from the Empty Homes Community Grants Programme. Later, the Trust became a Registered Provider; this allowed them to access funding from Homes England, then construct new homes and manage them themselves. They have since got the backing of Hull City Council and will continue to help house the local community.
One of their developments met the criteria for code-5 sustainable housing; it has a communal tank for harvesting rain water and a system that recycles bath and shower water to reuse for washing machines and toilets.
Some of their properties have also been built using modular construction methods, a tactic some consider vital in tackling the housing crisis.
2. Stratford
It wouldn’t be right to leave this iconic (yet controversial) development off of the list. Home to the 2012 Olympic Games, the development of Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Park and its surrounding neighbourhoods marks a substantial transformation of what used to be one of the capital’s most deprived areas.
Extensive infrastructure development had been going on in the years leading up to the decision for the Olympics to be held there. For example, new high speed train routes passing by Stratford were established, as well as the extension of the DLR to Stratford and the opening of Stratford International Station.
One housing development within the area, known as East Village, now contains around 2,800 homes with 2,000 more planned. It also contains 35 acres of open land and parkland, three children’s play areas, and a broad range of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants – not including those at Westfield Stratford City.
Controversy Strikes Due to Insufficient Affordable Housing
There has been extensive criticism from residents of East Village and other local developments. While some affordable housing for social rent has been delivered, it falls significantly short of what was promised.
Many feel that the area is only suitable for the middle class and not the Londoners that lived there before development, many of whom were moved to temporary accommodation or priced out of the area.
Despite the failure to deliver social housing, we can’t write off this impressive, large scale regeneration project as a failure. After all, it will have created 40,000 jobs by 2025 and an additional 125,000 jobs in the surrounding boroughs. The programme has also achieved a 25% reduction in corporate energy consumption.
The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) says construction will continue for another 15 years, resulting in thousands of new affordable homes. We’ll see if they deliver.
3. Anfield
For some time, Anfield was characterised by a lack of investment and lack of quality housing and services, but various projects have since made it a more appealing place to live.
A Solid Partnership
A partnership between developers Your Housing and Keepmoat, along with Liverpool Football Club and Liverpool City Council has been the catalyst for some recent projects.
This combination of stakeholders has enabled development to focus on the broader needs of the area rather than mainly catering to football fans, as many felt had been the case in the past.
Types of Regeneration Projects
Projects have included refurbishment and the construction of new homes, with sustainability in mind. In addition, new commercial and recreational areas have been built. For example, a new public square was created for retail purposes, the high street was improved, and Anfield Stadium was expanded. Some derelict homes were also demolished and replaced with gardens.
Success Factors and Community Impact
Community engagement was essential for ensuring initiatives truly met residents’ needs. One way this was carried out included showing newly renovated properties to the community so they could see the changes first-hand.
According to the government’s Estate Regeneration National Strategy Case Studies, tenant satisfaction has significantly increased thanks to the engagement efforts; in addition, the area is attracting new residents and its reputation is improving.
It also states that the retention of social housing, a broader mix of tenure types, as well as new home ownership opportunities is improving the area’s economic stability and maintaining community cohesion.
4. Liverpool
Now we’ll briefly mention another set of iconic, large scale developments that have transformed Liverpool beyond recognition. Billions in investment has gone into the city in the last 15 years, which is divided into Mayoral Enterprise and Development Zones, including those below.
Central Liverpool
This Development Zone includes the transformation of Edge Lane, one of the city’s major roads. Millions were spent on improving the road itself, along with pedestrian and cycling lanes. The area is also home to Wavertree Technology Park and the Edge Lane Retail Park.
South Liverpool
This zone has seen the creation of over 20,000 new jobs and significant investment from businesses like B&M, Jaguar Land Rover and other automotive companies.
Kings Waterfront and Baltic North
Another area of staggering investment, this part of the city has witnesses the development of the M&S Bank Arena, the Liverpool ONE retail complex, as well as other cultural sites and housing units.
Stonebridge Cross
This is the city’s oldest manufacturing area. It’s now a major location for distribution warehousing and has created thousands of jobs.
What About Housing Development?
Various developers have been and are continuing to work on mixed tenure schemes across the city. Over the past five years, 10,000 units were delivered but only 11% of them are affordable.
A new strategy has been proposed, part of which is to deliver 2,000 homes per year by 2030 and to double the supply of affordable homes. The strategy also contains carbon reduction plans.
5. Kidbrooke Village
Now for another small scale project. The newly branded Kidbrooke Village near Greenwich took the place of the Ferrier Estate, a deteriorating estate containing 1900 homes. The area, somewhat isolated from its surroundings, was also plagued with crime and vandalism.
Construction is ongoing but has already proven beneficial for the local community. Berkeley Homes will have delivered more than 4,800 new homes by the time development is complete, and more open green space is being included in the designs.
The development contains a mix of tenures including social and private rent, senior living and shared equity. 35% will be categorised as affordable. Other facilities include a new school, transport links, and health, community, sport and retail premises.
The government case study states that Berkeley Homes have closely involved residents in the process, and seek ongoing engagement post-occupancy to ascertain resident satisfaction levels.
6. North Solihull
Where the regeneration of Stratford failed to deliver the 50% affordable housing promised, development in North Solihull has succeeded.
An area that was home to 40,000 people and contained 42 tower blocks has undergone significant transformation since 2003; this is a result of a partnership between Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Bellway Homes, WM housing (for affordable housing), and Sigma InPartnership.
The area features mixed tenures (again, 50% for affordable rent), as well as assisting living and homeless accommodation. Two new village centres were built, along with six new primary schools and various health and business facilities.
The government notes that a strong formal partnership and a strong focus on active community engagement were among the major success factors behind this development.
7. Portobello Square, North Kensington
This 1970s-built estate was characterised by overcrowding, high maintenance properties in need of improvement, unused green space, and a lack of commercial options.
A partnership between Catalyst Housing and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – combined with strong community engagement from the very start – turned things around.
Residents and other local stakeholders were consulted about various options and it was decided that full redevelopment was the best course of action. The estate became a high-density, mid-rise development which included 540 social and shared ownership homes, as well as 500 for market sale (with no visual distinction between them). A new public square was also created along with various facilities.
The government’s case study claims that, along with a strong partnership and community involvement, other success factors included the intelligent use of assets, effective ongoing management, investment in the wider community, and ‘sensitively designed higher densities with supporting social infrastructure’.
The community has clearly benefited beyond the provision of housing and facilities; they are actively engaged in management and conduct art projects around the estate.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the country will see many more successful regeneration projects that help tackle the housing crisis.
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