Project Director: Peter Wells
Project Duration: 2019

Regeneration is back on the political agenda, with the announcement of the Stronger Towns Fund and work to set up a Shared Prosperity Fund to replace targeted EU funding. There is a recognition at policy level that the ‘proceeds of growth’ are unequally distributed.

This presents an opportunity to rediscover the role of targeted funding, and the part housing-related activity can play in uplifting ‘left-behind’ neighbourhoods. Importantly, it also presents an opportunity to learn from three decades of experience within the UK and internationally.

Key issues highlighted in previous learning include how much should be spent; how the spend should be targeted; how it should link with mainstream public spending; how need should be defined; how long a programme should last; what geographical focus is appropriate; and what outcomes and impacts should be expected. This report addresses summarises key learning on outcomes, value for money, determining factors and lessons learned.

The project team also included Julian Dobson (Urban Pollinators).