Have we got the measure of successful regeneration?

Well, whatever. The fact remains that one of the nicest bankers (or ex bankers) in this whole world spent his formative years at the Kursaal. And we all know what happened there. The mind boggles, frankly. And I suggest we draw a veil. Quickly now.

 

A new correspondent, Ed Harkins, raises a series of interesting points. He said:  "Hardly credible reading when the only actual evidence/statistic provided is on rising house prices. After all the UK has been through in recent years are we still taking house price booms as a sign of "success" in "regeneration"?".  

Ed goes to assert that other things that should be measured, such as educational attainment, legacy, sustainability and so forth. Now my response to this is: fair cop, really, but this is a blog, Ed, and not a doctoral thesis (although, naturally, says she, no less thoughtful or informed for that!).

 

But let us explore this point properly, for it deserves it.  

One of the frequent aims of regeneration, and certainly a big one for the Gateway, where low investment was perhaps the fundamental problem, is to make areas more attractive, and popular. Both for existing occupiers, but also for investors and end users. 

If places do become more attractive and popular, demand increases. And where demand increases, in the market-led world in which we live - for better or for worse - prices go up. 

So rising house prices, in a context like Southend, do appear to be an indicator of success, and suggest that we have been doing something right. 

 

More people want to live there and are prepared to pay for the privilege.

But of course Ed, you are absolutely right to say that good regeneration does not stop there. A more buoyant local economy offering serious long-term growth and more local accessible jobs is important - and that has happened in this instance. 

Educational institutions which encourage local people to seek and secure higher-level qualifications is valuable. That has also happened. 

Southend now has a future as well as a past (back to the Kursaal again. Who remembers the Kursaal Flyers then?).

 

Of course this may have been in spite of what the Gateway project contributed. But somehow I doubt it. And the process might have completely bypassed the deprived local communities, but somehow I doubt that too. It sure would be interesting to know.

 

The Gateway was a very hyped, misrepresented and misunderstood project, one where some intelligent re-evaluation might prove interesting. Stefan Webb, come on down.