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 Tackling poverty and social disadvantage Renewal of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods

Sustaining and enhancing local communities in the most disadvantaged urban areas; and Improving community relations and tackling the divisions 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

 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. Where have we come from?

iv. Independent evaluations have indicated that:- v. Physical and economic, as opposed to social regeneration has been emphasised; has not always had desired impact on social inclusion vi. 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 What key lessons have been learned?

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;

 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 Key Urban Regeneration Issues

 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 The Proposed 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 Delivering the strategy

 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 Key components of the New Strategy are:-

 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. Summary

What happens next  Consultation period (extended to end October)  Responses analysed and assessed  Detailed strategy devised and endorsed  Agreed strategy launched