Demise of the Steel Industry - how can planning and economic policy help the communities left behind?

It has been fascinating to return to the UK this week after presenting at the British Embassy Mono Cities conference in Astana, Kazakhstan. My paper looked at how, over the past 25 yrs, the UK has and indeed still is addressing the demise of the coal, steel and some manufacturing industries in terms of community impact, land use planning and relevant economic policy. Comparisons can certainly be made between the UK and the way some former Soviet states with emerging open-market economies are addressing issues found in mono towns, dependent on coal, steel or outdated manufacturing industries. The vagaries of global oil prices, Chinese steel manufacture and massive changes in steel demand through modern construction and infrastructure needs - have all had a global impact.   

It was excellent to share good practice with regional and national Government development advisers in Kazakhstan - including discussions on the various recent reviews of salient UK policy, assessing what has worked and visa versa. It is clear that there are some realistic initiatives and economic policies that could be considered in light of the Tata position in Port Talbot. Other UK towns have survived similar fates but the art will be to learn from best practice and from the more successful / realistic  initiatives. 'Clever' funding will be required to support those communities and sow the right seeds to allow for long term success rather than short term and short lived nominal survival.