The third out of four RICS evening lectures on sustainable urban regeneration took place on Wednesday 28 may 2008. This lecture was co-organised with and took place at The Centre, a Brussels based think-do tank.

 

Mr. Chris Brown FRICS, chief executive of Igloo Regeneration and director of Isis Waterside regeneration, presented his views on the economics of urban regeneration and public policy responses.

 

Good urban regeneration delivers a competitive advantage and is a critical part of economical development. At the same time, the point was made that urban regeneration is not the same as property development. It is about creating vibrant and mixed-use communities. In other words, it is about people and their wellbeing.

Studies have shown that from a certain income level, more income does not mean more happiness, which makes the wellbeing question increasingly important.

Urban regeneration can address many of today’s challenges, such as climate change, rising fossil fuel prices, social instability, urban poverty, crime and alienation and the credit crunch.

 

There are cases, for example in Malmö and Amsterdam, where it is clearly shown that sustainable urban regeneration provides more affordable housing, a reduction in carbon (e.g. via reduced car use), more efficient recycling rates and more community cohesion. Mixed neighbourhoods do work!

Ultimately, all these benefits lead to economic competitiveness.

 

The need for a single policy on urban regeneration

Our current lifestyles are fundamentally unsustainable, which is why Chris argued that our future will be in cities, not in suburbs. Politicians seem to realise this, although nobody wants to be too outspoken and loose voters. However, even the recent elections for the Mayor of London showed that all major candidates were in favour of walking and cycling rather than driving.

Besides political leadership, it is also up to us as citizens (who are at the same time voters, consumers, economic actors…) to come up with solutions. A large majority of the citizens would like to be green, but only a very small minority is actually acting that way.

The importance of private investment and expertise in urban regeneration is unquestionable; however, the market alone does not seem to deliver sustainable urban regeneration. Policy has a vital role to play, provided it moves in the same direction as the market, and does not work against it.

There are numerous ‘public policy silos’, such as planning, transport, energy, competition, cohesion, economic, environmental and at various levels: international, national, regional and local.

Urban regeneration is not amongst these silos. To make an impact, a single policy for regeneration is needed.

 

What can the EU do?

During the debate that followed, it was pointed out that the EU does not have competence in the relevant areas, such as spatial planning and housing.

However, in May 2007 the Commission has published a “Guide to the Urban Dimension in EU Policies”, providing a detailed overview of the European ‘policy silos’ affecting urban areas.

This document was put together by a Commission inter-service urban policy group, which shows that the Commission acknowledges the urban importance.

Also the European Parliament, via its Urban-Housing Intergroup, ensures urban matters remain on the political agenda.

EU policy areas that could be addressed include:

• JESSICA, which could be dealt with more effectively
• State Aid, which could include a broader definition on regeneration
• The Operation Programmes within the Cohesion Policy, which are numerous and fragmented.

In conclusion, the participants to the lecture agreed that policy has a clear and vital role to play in sustainable urban regeneration. This role needs to be played at all levels, including the European one. Many initiatives have already been taken, now the time has come to make it coherent.

Chris’ presentation, along with more information on Igloo Regeneration, is available on the right-hand side of the screen.

If you have questions, or if you would like to comment, please contact Sander Scheurwater at sscheurwater@rics.org