What are the most effective methods for ensuring an urban regeneration project benefits the entire community?

1 Co-design and participation

One of the key methods for ensuring an urban regeneration project benefits the entire community is to involve the community in the design and implementation of the project. Co-design and participation are approaches that enable the active collaboration and engagement of different stakeholders in the planning process, from defining the vision and objectives, to generating and evaluating alternatives, to monitoring and evaluating the outcomes. Co-design and participation can help to create a sense of ownership, empowerment, and trust among the community, as well as to address their needs, preferences, and aspirations. Co-design and participation can also foster social cohesion, diversity, and inclusion, by creating opportunities for dialogue, learning, and empowerment among different groups.

2 Social impact assessment

Another method for ensuring an urban regeneration project benefits the entire community is to conduct a social impact assessment (SIA) before, during, and after the project. SIA is a process that identifies, analyzes, and evaluates the potential social effects of a project on the affected communities and groups. SIA can help to identify and mitigate the potential negative impacts, such as displacement, gentrification, inequality, or loss of identity, as well as to enhance the potential positive impacts, such as improved quality of life, access to services, social capital, or cultural diversity. SIA can also provide a framework for monitoring and evaluating the social outcomes of the project, as well as for engaging and communicating with the stakeholders.

3 Mixed-use development

A third method for ensuring an urban regeneration project benefits the entire community is to adopt a mixed-use development approach. Mixed-use development is a type of urban development that combines different functions and activities, such as residential, commercial, cultural, or recreational, in a single or integrated area. Mixed-use development can help to create more diverse, lively, and attractive urban environments, by offering a variety of options and opportunities for the residents and visitors. Mixed-use development can also help to reduce the environmental impacts of urban sprawl, by promoting more compact, efficient, and walkable urban forms. Mixed-use development can also help to support the local economy, by creating jobs, services, and markets.

4 Green and blue infrastructure

A fourth method for ensuring an urban regeneration project benefits the entire community is to incorporate green and blue infrastructure elements into the design and management of the urban space. Green and blue infrastructure refers to the network of natural and semi-natural features and systems that provide multiple benefits for the urban environment and the people. Green infrastructure includes elements such as parks, gardens, trees, green roofs, or green walls, while blue infrastructure includes elements such as rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, or rainwater harvesting systems. Green and blue infrastructure can help to improve the environmental quality and resilience of the urban area, by enhancing biodiversity, reducing air pollution, mitigating climate change, or managing stormwater. Green and blue infrastructure can also help to improve the social and health well-being of the community, by providing spaces for recreation, relaxation, education, or social interaction.

5 Adaptive reuse and heritage preservation

A fifth method for ensuring an urban regeneration project benefits the entire community is to apply adaptive reuse and heritage preservation strategies to the existing urban fabric. Adaptive reuse and heritage preservation are approaches that involve the conversion, renovation, or restoration of existing buildings or structures for new or different purposes, while respecting and enhancing their historical, cultural, or architectural value. Adaptive reuse and heritage preservation can help to conserve the urban identity and memory of the place, by retaining and celebrating its unique character, stories, and meanings. Adaptive reuse and heritage preservation can also help to optimize the use of resources and materials, by reducing the need for demolition, construction, or waste. Adaptive reuse and heritage preservation can also help to create more diverse and innovative urban spaces, by combining old and new elements, functions, and styles.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?