A neighbourhood renewal project in Dalston, Hackney: Towards a new form of partnership for inner city regeneration

Abstract

This paper revisits a speech given at a conference in July 2002 which presented some prospects for real regeneration, rather than the familiar pattern of gentrification, in the Bradbury Street area of Dalston, Hackney. Since then many of the ideas posited -- some new, some old -- have found support in a wider arena and are now being tested in action across the UK, as the agenda for community-led regeneration and social enterprise gains momentum. The speech ended with the crucial caveat that it was most unlikely that the full beneficial effects on the mainstream economy of such initiatives could be achieved unless appropriate local, regional and national strategies in the public sector could uphold the key principles and rules underlying this approach. This paper retraces these arguments, notes some progress on this front and focuses on the role of the private sector and retail and leisure vitality. A key theme is that the private sector, if it comes to appreciate some pressing realities and adopts these strategic principles, can contribute to real inner-city regeneration. Such regeneration will engage and benefit rather than displace inhabitants. It is suggested that this reflects wider and increasing imperatives for the mainstream economy to become more socially involved at the heart of its business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]