http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhjBwU86Xs8
Looking back over my scribbled notes from this lecture I am remembering my shock at hearing about the housing market renewal pathfinders. I had not previously known that such schemes had existed, how naive I am!
'the systematic removal of dignity in poverty' (I don't remember who said this in the lecture, anyone know? Torange Khonsari?)
Pathfinder Housing Market Renewal Programme aimed to tackle the problems
of neighbourhoods with low housing demand in the North of England and
Midlands. In such neighbourhoods, with the decline of industry and employment in the areas, high concentrations of difficult to let or sell properties are systematically acquired through compulsory purchase acts and then demolished and replaced with fewer new houses in order to create a housing demand. By clearing acres of run down terraced housing, built stock was reduced to a level that would encourage a higher value in the remaining stock as the proportion of people looking to buy/ rent remained steady.
Launched in 2002 by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, now the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Programme established sub-regional partnerships or ‘pathfinders’ covering nine areas. The Housing Market Renewal Programme is expected to last from 10 to 15 years. So far it seems that more homes have been demolished than built and without longer term support these demolition sites could become the programme's legacy rather than refurbished and improved housing stock.
In cases such as Liverpool, communities have opposed plans to demolish and rebuild homes. The thought is that regeneration of neighbourhoods is more likely to be sustained if local communities are actively engaged. During the lecture a few successful projects were shown, Cairn street Market and a canal festival.
Final thoughts...
What is the nature of the nostalgia of the terrace house in Liverpool?
Has the quality of their replacements become the criterion that defines the 'success' of the previous condition?
Is what we have now satisfactory?
Has Pathfinder worked?
There was also mention of a Regional Growth white paper that I have not yet looked up... I'll add my findings in due course...
Links - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmpubacc/106/106.pdf , http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/Images/tcm21-40125.pdf , http://www.rudi.net/node/20196
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