Ever since Professor Michael Parkinson published his report on The Credit Crunch and Regeneration: Impact and Implications (January 2009) we at BURA have been grappling with what he means by the "right sort of long term leadership and resources". We need to know what this will look like for the "New World" and equip our members accordingly.
Parkinson says that everyone - from the private sector, councils, regional agencies and central Government - has a part to play in getting through the downturn and preparing for the upturn. And so say all of us! My own quibble being: wasn't it always the case that it was only a genuine partnership approach that worked ever - even in the height of the boom times?
We are all agreed that regeneration is a long game and must continue to have that outlook. I was at a conference the other day when a very clever person (oh, I wish, I wish, it had been me) said "less than three years ago we were confidently asserting that we had seen the end of boom-and-bust, now we are bust we are pinning our hopes back on the forthcoming boom. Well, you can't have it both ways".
Parkinson has concluded that regeneration has made a real difference across the country in the past decade because of a strong national economy and extensive public investment. Can't argue with that.And it is only because of the extensive public investment that the impact of the credit crunch in regeneration is mixed. Most projects already underway are continuing if - and only if - the public sector is involved. All others are stalled. Economically marginal projects are increasingly less attractive (well strike a light, guv'nor!) and the north and midlands have been affected more than the south east.
But the single most scary thing that Parkinson highlighted is the potential erosion of the skills base. If the regeneration pipeline dries up - the investment, confidence, momentum, skills and capacity, which has been built up over the last decade, will face even greater pressure. Michael Ward, the CE of BURA is leading a New Product Development workshop for BURA, with senior stakeholders in the regeneration industry, to develop the skills and products necessary to equip us all for the "New World". I will keep you posted as to what transpires. As Parkinson says: "The successful principles of regeneration are even more important now. The challenge is doable. Now is the time to take stock, make the right long term decisions and re-gear ready for the upturn. Everybody must stick to their guns, not panic and keep their eye on the longer term horizon."
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