REGENERATION STRATEGIES AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN THE UK 1

Regeneration Strategies and Cultural Identities in the UK

Introduction

The lives of human beings have changed for several years now. The main change has been

necessitated by the transition witnessed in the use of machines as a substitute for manual labour.

Industrialization and the changes that have taken place in the technology driven economy have

led to economic and political changes (Evans, 2003, p14). The culture of human beings has also

been forced to change considering that there is a new kind of order that has been created in the

cities across Europe. Industrialization helped in boosting the modern cities across the United

Kingdom which led to several people seeking employment in the industries. However, with the

discovery of cheap raw materials for the industries, the production of goods shift to other areas

outside the western world leaving the communities in the cities in a desperate situation, trying to

find ways of survival (Mcgregor, 2003, p56). Regeneration strategies such as the improvement of

infrastructure, culture based regeneration, the application of arts and creativity have helped in the

improvement of communities that no longer participate in the production of goods and services

(Carley, 2000, p67).

Regeneration Strategies

Policy makers in the post-industrial society had to come up with measures to help the society

meet its daily needs and compensate for the jobs lost. Their main aim was to create cities that

would attract more investors and visitors. There cities had to shift from production to

consumption. This type of regeneration relates to the positive transformation of cities that had

shown signs of social, physical, and economic life (Eisinger, 2000, p27).
 REGENERATION STRATEGIES AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN THE UK 2

Culture led regeneration has been used across Europe and in the United States to help ex-

industrial communities live a meaningful life. The central government in the United Kingdom

had to come up with Regional Development Agencies (RDA), whose main aim was to ensure

that every citizen benefits from the country’s economic prosperity and opportunities available in

the UK. The government has been able to oversee the spread of economic prosperity to other

regions through decentralization of power by ensuring that local authorities have more autonomy

(Evans and Shaw, 2004, p52).

The main purpose of cultural regeneration is to the help the economically disadvantaged regions

through arts-based events. In addition, there are efforts in coming up with high quality housing in

order to attract more investors and people to the cities (Florida, 2002, p36). There are

connections between culture and urban regeneration. The main types of regeneration used

include using arts projects in order to achieve regeneration, and integrating culture in cities

where cultural activities have become part of daily living (Gouldson and Roberts, 2000, p47).

The Application of Different Regeneration Strategies to Various Cities in Europe

Liverpool

The city of Liverpool has been able to use various regeneration strategies. Some of the strategies

used include: design led reconfiguration of the city, integration of creativity into the community,

using arts, and arts-led civic development. These strategies have helped make Liverpool look

unique. In addition, the strategies have been able to improve the city’s economic

competitiveness. This has been achieved through the improvement of the quality of life of the

residents as shown in the indexes of international rankings. The strategies have also been able to
 REGENERATION STRATEGIES AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN THE UK 3

help the city residents build self confidence and pride among the community while boosting

chances of investors coming into the city (Green and Pollard, 2007, p78).

The main aim of the strategies used in Liverpool is to transform the city’s infrastructure, develop

cultural activities for the population, make the city a cultural destination, increase investments,

and to create jobs by encouraging the growth of creative industries (Jenkins, 2005, p46).

The city’s architecture, history, landscape and topography, traditions, services, leisure and youth

subcultures are the main areas that have experiences regeneration in Liverpool. The regeneration

plans on architecture have been aimed at providing necessary spaces for future activities. In

particular, Liverpool has been able to refurbish old factories, manufacturing organizations, and

local key buildings that were on the path to destruction. Tate Liverpool is one of the industrial

sites that have undergone regeneration. The area has been redesigned to increase the standard of

living by assigning old important sites new functions (Judd, 2000, p56).

In addition, there is also the construction of new buildings in the areas where there are old

buildings. This strategy has experiences a lot of challenges as it has become a controversial

practice. The regeneration strategies in Liverpool have been aimed at boosting economic growth

and city profiling for several years now. The main endeavour is to help in the revival of the city

by developing a high profile, high end retail, residential, and leisure spaces in areas that were

once underused. The city hopes to attract more investment and create employment through

construction and operation. The government also hopes to develop a new identity for some areas

in Liverpool (Kavaratzis and Ashworth, 2006, p26).

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The art led regeneration strategy has seen many young people adopt art as a means to make ends

meet. Many streets thrive simply because of the city’s attractions which draw visitors from

across the world. As a result, the living standards of people in the city have improved and the

economy of the place revived.

Newcastle

The regeneration strategy used in Newcastle is based on the use of cultural projects to improve

the economic situation of the citizens. This is done through the promotion of arts-based events

and attractions. In addition, there is the construction of high quality infrastructure such as

housing and roads so as to the city attract more investors (Keating and De Frantz, 2004, p38).

The city has implemented culture-led regeneration to bring change to the image of the city. The

move toward globalization in the economic sector has forced the city to invest heavily in its

status so as to be able to compete globally. Culture led regeneration is being used in Newcastle to

help in improving the stagnant economy and to solve the rampant problems of unemployment

and deprivation (Lawrence and Mayer, 2000, p51).

Culture led regeneration can give the city a brand new image which is necessary in ensuring that

the city becomes competitive, thereby improving its position in relation to the quality of life

indexes. In addition, culture led regeneration, especially, in the reconstruction of necessary

infrastructure, will help in building self confidence in the population as well as boost optimist

among entrepreneurs (Macleod, 2002, p45).

Newcastle Gateshead initiative is one of the programs that have been initiated in the city to

improve its infrastructure and image. In addition, the unveiling of the Angel of North Sculpture
 REGENERATION STRATEGIES AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN THE UK 5

has created a visible landmark for the city. The main aim of the Newcastle Gatehead is to ensure

that the city becomes an international business destination as well as attract tourism. Tourism

and business will create a new identity in the city and to the larger north eastern region of the

United Kingdom. Other regeneration activities that have taken place in Newcastle has been in the

increment of funding necessary toward the creation or arts and science-based institutions. The

Newcastle’s Laing Art Gallery is one example of an educational charity aimed at improving the

creativity of arts and sciences in the city. Culture led regeneration practices in Newcastle have

been able to improve the night time economy thereby eliminating social vices such as alcohol

abuse and crime (Miles, 2004, p107; Garcia, 2004, p314). The application of the culture led

strategy in Newcastle has seen many people appreciate their cultures. They have made money by

making and selling traditional artefacts, and by engaging in cultural events. This has created

employment for many people in the hospitality, tourism and retail sectors of the economy.

London

The regeneration strategy mainly used in London has involved the promotion of growth in

sustainable areas such as Lewisham, Catford, Deptford and New Cross (Tallon, 2009, p119). In

addition, there is also the maximization of scarce land usage by promoting mixed use

redevelopment in some areas. The regeneration in these areas involves the construction of new

housing. In addition, there is the construction of necessary transport, social and economic

infrastructure to help in improving the lives of the communities in the location. Good quality

designs ensure that tourists and business entrepreneurs come to the city locations. The business

entrepreneurs and tourists help in the improvement of economic life of the citizens. The culture

of the communities in this region can be changed if they are able to take active participation in
 REGENERATION STRATEGIES AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN THE UK 6

the business activities that have come about due to the construction of new houses and roads

(Osborne, 2002, p74).

Deptford New Cross can help in improving transport in the area. Transport networks ensure that

tourists and other entrepreneurs are able to access the region. Economic activities in the region

help in creating employment opportunities for the communities in the area. The communities’

cultures are bound to redevelop as they were thwarted by the decline in production and rise in

consumption endeavours (Smith, 2007, p39).

The regeneration strategy has influenced the lives of the locals considering that they have an

opportunity to live in better houses which generally means that their living standards have

improved. Also, the locals have the opportunity to engage in various economic activities which

has revamped the area’s economy. Yet again, the people’s social lives are positively impacted as

they get to appreciate their common beliefs and attend cultural practices.

Conclusion

Regeneration strategies have been able to influence cultural identities in the United Kingdom in

that they have assisted the community solve economical, social and political crises. The increase

in the number of tourist visiting communities in the United Kingdom has been boosted

investment, and to improved the level of social cohesion. In addition, the society has been able to

witness a decline in the rate of crime due to infrastructure and the economic activities that take

place in the community. Further, there is also the improvement of learning and engagement

through the construction of several arts bases and scientific learning centres such as Peckham in

the south east London. This facility demonstrates how artists, architects and designers can
 REGENERATION STRATEGIES AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN THE UK 7

contribute to the society in ensuring that there is sustainable renewal of lives (Plymouth City

Council, 2003, p22). While regeneration strategies have numerous advantages, they are

associated with a few disadvantages. For one, the renewal and regeneration of places comes at a

cost. House prices, rent and commodity prices are bound to rise when business flourishes and the

population of the place grows (Evans and Shaw, 2004, p26). Secondly, there is the possibility of

the city growing in population leading to the growth of slums as noted by Evans and Shaw, 2004,

p31).
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