Policy Press

Regenerating Deprived Urban Areas

A Cross National Analysis of Area-Based Initiatives

By Rene Peter Hohmann

Published

Oct 16, 2013

Page count

240 pages

ISBN

978-1447310785

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press
Regenerating Deprived Urban Areas

In the face of continuing challenges of urban decline, an increasing local policy activism can be observed in a number of European countries. The implementation of area-based initiatives (ABIs) for deprived urban areas, such as the ‘New Deal for Communities’ in England and the ‘Social City Programme’ in Germany, is an example of these New Localism(s). ABIs can be seen as test-beds for new forms of urban governance seeking to foster an active participation of residents and the voluntary sector.

Based upon comparative research in two cities, Bristol in England and Duisburg in Germany, this book is the first to cross-nationally compare the impacts of ABIs in two deprived urban areas in England and Germany. It evaluates the impacts of these New Localism(s) on organisations and development actors at the neighbourhood level. Using a rich data-set and applying a hands-on methodology it uses a mixed method approach to help the reader with a wider spectrum of illustrations and is aimed at those studying and working in the field of urban regeneration and planning.

"A well-structured and well-documented book, which analyses urban policies and local institutional framework in great detail and depth." Journal of Housing and the Built Environment

Rene Peter Hohmann works as an independent urban specialist. He holds a PhD in Geography from King’s College London and a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from Humboldt University in Berlin. He is particularly interested in poverty oriented development approaches in cities. He has extensive research and consultancy experience in evaluating urban regeneration schemes in Europe and slum-upgrading programmes in developing countries.

Introduction;

New Localism(s) in Europe;

Policies for deprived urban areas;

Conceptualising New Localism(s): exploring local variations in urban governance practices across Europe;

Lost in transformation: urban governance practices and the New Deal for Communities (NDC) in Bristol;

Local government experiments to cope with structural change: The Social City Programme in Duisburg;

The crystallization of New Localism(s) in Bristol and Duisburg: a cross-case comparison;

The neo-institutional study of New Localism(s) as an analytical window for comparative urbanism: concluding reflections;

Appendices.