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Urban Regeneration in Northern Ireland Consultation on proposals for a new Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal Urban Regeneration and Community Development Group. Northern Ireland Executive Committee Programme for Government. Promotion of equality and human rights
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Urban Regeneration in Northern Ireland Consultation on proposals for a new Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal Urban Regeneration and Community Development Group
Northern Ireland Executive Committee Programme for Government • Promotion of equalityand human rights • Tackling poverty andsocial disadvantage • Renewal of the mostdisadvantagedneighbourhoods
Sustaining andenhancing localcommunities in the mostdisadvantaged urbanareas; and • Improving communityrelations and tackling thedivisions in our society
Purpose • To provide overview of contents of consultation document previously published:- • Where we have come from/key lessons learned • Current urban regeneration issues • Possible future strategic direction • Examine possible delivery mechanisms
Where have we come from? • Many successful Programmes: Laganside, UDG, EI,CD,CRISP, MBW, LRI; • Measures have been developed over time to deal reactively with evolving urban problems; • Mix of resources inc: mainstream public funds, EU, IFI.
What key lessons have been learned? • Independent evaluations have indicated that:- • Physical and economic, as opposed to social regeneration has been emphasised; has not always had desired impact on social inclusion • Effective regeneration requires development of cross-cutting policies/joined up delivery across public service
What key lessons have been learned? • Effective regeneration brings together four strands of people, jobs, services, infrastructure • Improving quality of life within disadvantaged communities requires active engagement of these communities
Key Urban Regeneration Issues • Multiple deprivation exists in significant concentrations in cities and large towns; • Has persisted over time from one generation to the next; • Manifestation of urban areas with widespread multiple deprivation is well documented;
Key Urban Regeneration Issues • Characterised by- • dominance of social housing • high unemployment and dependence on state benefits • low average income and high levels of poverty • low levels of skills and qualifications • below average standards of health • above average crime rates
The Proposed Strategy • Continuing need to address economic and social problems in urban areas; • Existing policy instruments lack coherence and integration but retain value as engines for change; • We want to to co-ordinate more effectively action to reduce inequalities within and between urban communities;
The Proposed Strategy • Key components of the new strategy are:- • To tackle the most acute deprivation/disadvantage; • To place regeneration at the centre of the work of departments, agencies and programmes; • To empower communities to shape, then drive, urban renewal initiatives focused at the neighbourhood level;
The Proposed Strategy • To move away from project / policy instrument-led regeneration towards an area/needs based approach; • To develop city and town centres strengthening linkages with disadvantaged areas; • To develop and implement plans on a partnership basis; and • For the purpose of achieving sustainable renewal and stability to commit to a 7 to 10 year implementation time-scale
Delivering the strategy • An urban regeneration framework structure is proposed to include:- • At regional level, inter- Departmental Group, led by DSD, will provide strategic leadership and overall accountability; • At District Council level, evolving Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) under Peace II;
Delivering the strategy • At local level, neighbourhood renewal initiatives linked to LSPs of Peace II • Town/city centre regeneration, led by DSD, in consultation with public / private sector organisations
Summary Key components of the New Strategy are:- • Firstly: to put tackling of most acute deprivation/ disadvantage at heart of all regeneration activity; • Secondly: to focus regeneration activity at the neighbourhood level and empower communities to shape, and then drive, urban renewal initiatives in their own areas;
Summary • Thirdly: to encourage Departments/Agencies to place regeneration at the centre of work programmes; • Finally: to commit to 7 to 10 year planning and implementation timescale, for sustainable renewal and stability to be achieved.
What happens next • Consultation period (extended to end October) • Responses analysed and assessed • Detailed strategy devised and endorsed • Agreed strategy launched