Urban Regeneration & Rebranding
Urban regeneration and re-imagining
- Urban regeneration is the investment of capital in the revival of old, urban areas by either improving what is there or clearing it away and rebuilding
- Over time, older parts of urban areas would begin to suffer a decline
- Factories would move elsewhere, resulting in job loss
- Quality of life and housing become poorer, people moved away
- Urban blight sets in
- The area needs to be 'brought back to life' = urban regeneration
- In 2012 London was the location for the Olympics this lead to the regeneration of Stratford and other areas of London this had a range of positives and negatives
Impacts of Regeneration of London for 2012 Olympics
| Positives | Negatives | |
| Social |
|
|
| Economic |
|
|
| Environmental |
|
|
- Urban re-imaging is changing the image and reputation of an urban area and the way people view it
- Focusing on a new identity/function
- Changing the quality and appearance of the built-up area
- Good opportunity for brownfield site development
- London Docklands was completely redeveloped and regenerated
- London Docklands had new industries, more executive services, homes, entertainment, and leisure, making it the new 'cool' place to be
- Together urban regeneration and urban re-imaging = rebranding
- These processes add to the continued growth of urban regions
Worked example
For a UK city that you have studied, explain why regeneration has had both positive and negative effects on people
(4 marks)
- You will be expected to make reference to specific detail relating to your chosen UK city in your answer
Answer:
- May lead to growth in population (1) which will bring benefits to owners of services, e.g. retailers (1)
- May increase value of properties (1) increasing wealth of existing property owners (1)
- May give business opportunities (1) to new start-up and construction companies involved in regeneration (1)
- Might displace existing residents (1) as property becomes too expensive and/or limited supply of social housing (1)
- Might create social conflict (1) between incomers and existing residents (1)
Exam Tip
Remember regeneration and re-imaging are not the same. Regeneration is the redevelopment or clearance and rebuilding of an area, whereas re-imaging is about changing the image and reputation of an area. It is a combination of these two that lead to urban rebranding.
