Regeneration Projects of Europe and Their Implications - Assignment Example

Regeneration projects of Europe and their implications Introduction Architectural marvels always create awe and excitement in people who look at it. That is why most of the Seven Wonders of the World are buildings and landscapes be it the pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal of India or the Great Wall of China. The landscapes are created either naturally or through human interventions and is exemplified by the famous saying “A Thing of Beauty is a Joy forever”. Landscape is important, not as mere scenery but because it links culture with nature, and past with present. On the contrary, there are some landscapes created that arouse regrets in people’s minds. The British in particular were more interested in seeing only scenic landscapes through their estates especially in the middle of eighteenth century. More such actions caused serious imbalance in the society. The effects of the British’s landscapes were realized late and the damage was already done with people fleeing to different places in search of food and shelter. The businesses of the people were affected by the Government’s actions. In order to take remedial actions for the imbalance created in the society, the Government of British and many other nations which followed suit in developing such landscapes soon plunged into regeneration activities. Regeneration is a long term process of renewal, within which the social, economic, and environment conditions that lead to sustainable communities are actively supported. The process of regeneration links needs and opportunities, economic growth, social cohesion and cultural development, health, social care and environmental sustainability and this has helped the Governments to correct to some extent of their lost social balance. Cleator Moor Regeneration project While many regeneration projects have happened in the history, only some made significant impact. The projects in the United Kingdom are some of these because it was here that most of the social inequalities happened at the start of twentieth century. The Cleator Moor Business Centre is a good example of many of the regeneration projects taken up by the Government in UK. It is situated in a small town called Cleator Moor in the English county of Cumbria. The towns skyline is dominated by Dent Fell and the town is located on the 190 mile Coast to Coast Walk that spans the North of England. On the outskirts of the town of Cleator Moor lies the village of Cleator with which the town is closely associated. The town of Cleator Moor at the start of the year 2001, some one hundred and fifty years since it was built, has seen many changes both in living conditions, social and recreational pleasures, the coming and going of different industries to the town as well as a drop in entertainment facilities, Public Houses, Cinemas and an up surge in Clubs which wasnt available in the early years. All this contributed to the loss of many shops throughout the town, and a big drop in the Population from its boom years at the start of the 20th century. The town was initially famous for its burgeoning industries and the scenic picture of its landscape. With a population of around 7000 the small town of Cleator Moor nestles in the Western fells of the Lake District in Cumbria, close to the unspoilt Ennerdale Water. Within easy access of the coastline of West Cumbria including the start of Wainwrights famous coast to coast walk which begins at St Bees. It is also only 3 miles from the bustling port of Whitehaven which is the administrative centre of the borough of Copeland. The town is centrally placed to access local industry in West Cumbria as well as the BNFL Sellafield Site. The Business Centre evolved from what was originally Cleator Moor Workspace which was opened in 1986. At that time the former flour mill was converted into managed workspaces enjoying direct access from a surrounding courtyard. Since 1992 the development has grown substantially with the conversion of a second building into three floors of larger offices. The courtyard development was concluded in 1994 with the conversion of the remaining building to high quality office accommodation. European Landscape Convention The European Landscape Convention (ELC) was open on 20th October 2000 for member states of the Council of Europe in Florence. The convention was in effect from 1st March 2004 and aims to encourage public authorities to adopt policies and measures at local, regional, national and international level for protecting, managing and planning landscapes throughout Europe. It recognizes that landscape has important cultural, ecological, environmental and social dimensions and is a key element of achieving sustainable development. Europe’s populations want policies and instruments affecting national territory to take account of their wishes regarding the quality of their surroundings. In their view, this quality to some extent has to do with the feelings aroused in them by contemplating the landscape. The Convention reminds us that well-looked after and highly valued landscapes are essential to social well-being and to an economically healthy society. People have come to realize that the quality and diversity of many landscapes are deteriorating as a result of a wide variety of factors and that this is having an adverse effect on the quality of their everyday lives. The Convention proposes legal and financial measures at the national and international levels, aimed at shaping "landscape policies" and promoting interaction between local and central authorities as well as trans-frontier cooperation in protecting landscapes. It sets out a range of different solutions which the States can apply, according to their specific needs. It covers all landscapes, both outstanding and ordinary, that determine the quality of people’s living environment. The text in the convention provides for a flexible approach to landscapes whose specific features call for various types of action, ranging from strict conservation through protection, management and improvement to actual creation. The Council of Europe intergovernmental committees supervises the convention’s implementation. The text also provides for a Council of Europe Landscape award, to be given to local or regional authorities or an NGO which introduced exemplary and long-lasting policies or measures to protect, manage and plan landscapes. The European Landscape Convention leaves the countries the choice of means to be used within their internal legal arrangements to fulfill their obligations. The legal, administrative, fiscal and financial arrangements made in each country to serve the Convention’s implementation should fit in as comfortably as possible with that countrys traditions. It is also recognized that, responsibility for action relating to landscape lies with public authorities not only at national and international levels, but also at local and regional levels and the convention can be utilized according to the local needs. Social equality While the importance of architectural constructs with respect to social equality needs to be discussed the aspects of the latter requires understanding first. Social equality is a social state of affairs in which certain different people have the same status in a certain respect, at the very least in voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, the extent of property rights as well as the access to education, health care and other social securities. If the ideal situation of social equality is required to be present in the society, inequality would not be there. However, inequality does in fact exist because everyone does not have equal status, education, or health care. This is because not everyone works to achieve equality. This occurs whenever there is an exclusion of people from full and equal participation in what we, the members of society, perceive as being valuable, important personally worthwhile and socially desirable. People will also have no or less means in Housing, health care, education, employment opportunities, and status. Olwig’s Quotation Olwig quoted in 2002, “It is also possible however, for architects to shape environments that foster the desire to maintain the continuities that maintain a collective sense of commonwealth, rooted in custom but open to change". The quote arises from the resentment of Olwig because of the growing architects’ trend in disturbing the harmony of the society. While many might argue as how an architect could create harm in constructions, the fact remains that more of their creations have increased the imbalance in society. The famed British landscapes for instance were more a threat than an attraction to the general public. So, Olwig encourages on maintaining those aspects that create commonwealth and also supports for creation on many such creations. He also hints that changes could be made to these creations because change is the only thing that does not change. But, he insists on having those customary values that have been rooted in the society while the change still can be made. Architectural concept The Cleator Moor regeneration has made more of a positive impact in the balance of the society. The basis of the approach in Cleator Moor lies in the concept of social inclusion which is identifying communities and individuals at risk, under threat or experiencing social exclusion, and asserts their right to participate in and benefit from economic growth, social development and improved quality of life, if they so choose. Also, most government funding is designed to tackle economic decline, social deprivation and environmental decay. There is a small imprint in steel famously known with its engraved face in reverse lettering reads “Cleator Moor Co-operative Society Limited Cumberland.’’ In the centre is a beehive motif, reminiscent of the one in relief which can still be seen in Whitehaven, atop the southern fascia of the old Co-op building at the Duke Street end of Strand Street. The steel block isn’t very big, measuring 1½ inches x 1¼ inches and though a bit corroded is still kept in the original linen-lined mailing envelope. The Cleator Moor Co-op, established in 1858 had its roots in the Workington one, which was originally called the Workington Beehive. The Cleator Moor Business center is also called as ‘Phoenix Court’ but earlier there was a decline in the population of Cleator Moor and the regeneration project has now come to the rescue. The town was based around the iron works industry and was served in this capacity by the Cleator & Workington junction railway. The influx of Irish workers gave the town the nickname Little Ireland. World War I and World War II saw a fresh influx of immigrants from mainland Europe join the settled Irish community. At the beginning of 1900 Cleator Moor showed a population of around 10,000 and at the start of the year 2000 this dropped to around 7,000, in fact the census returns for the population taken in 1991 has it at 7,200 people. Most of this drop in population can be accredited to the closing of all the Mining industry in the area, the loss of the Railway industry with the cutbacks in the 1950s, which also has had a knock on affect on the shops in the town, which at one time had over 100 different traders selling different commodities. With the decline of traditional industries the towns economy was dependent on the nearby Sellafield complex, which provided employment to half the towns people. The Irish Potato famine and the Orange Order caused unrest in the town and resulted in Battle of the Boyne leading to riots and hence the decline in population with the people leaving the town to other places in search of food, money and safe shelter. Social impact of regeneration project The Cleator Moor regeneration has considerable impact on the social equality of Cleator Moor town. The Community of Cleator Moor have actively sought over a number of years to address the decline and dereliction of a key building with the Town Centre which used to be the former site of the Co-op. The Cleator co-op has been refurbished now to allow more business people to start their operations in that place. The Cleator Moor Business center also has about three buildings now all available for use by business people. It is estimated that the Government spends approximately 600,000 pounds in the refurbishing of phoenix court or Cleator Moor business center. The support of business opportunities through these buildings ensures that more people come into the town who had once left for political and economic reasons. Also, the presence of business activities would improve the lifestyle of all the people and provides a chain of development and regeneration projects. The employment opportunities are increased through availability of opportunities. There are groups for Cleator Moor regeneration and one among the group is Regen Ne Copeland helps them in the regeneration. There is development in the Town square, improvement in Retail and commercial sector, improvement in transportation and the environment as a whole. Many of the disadvantages are addressed and these include the healthcare, educational prospects, financial aids and employment. Overall there is an enhanced economic base through growth of Industrial estates and business accommodation, increase in area’s tourism base, more help in starting new businesses. The Regeneration Group meets on a monthly basis to develop and oversee the Work Programme, which is designed to tackle these priorities and meet local needs. Projects are developed that focus on upgrading local buildings and green areas; helping businesses; developing local services; supporting the community strategy and obtaining the necessary funds to enable these services.  Recent years have seen a burgeoning of political, professional and academic interest in the subject of landscapes, and thus the development of a growing body of experience and expertise on which member States, local and regional authorities and others can draw as they seek to implement the convention. At the same time, the growth of electronic communication and the arrival of the Internet have provided radically improved tools for exchanging ideas and, indeed, for the technical study of landscapes. These developments create a much wider basis for the exchange of ideas and mutual support than was possible even a decade ago, allowing local actors throughout Europe to take part and thus creating a true "landscape democracy". The UK is recognized as already putting much of the principles of the ELC into practice. The distinctive landscapes contribute to the identity and reflect the local cultural influences as well as ecological diversity. This is shown through the Joint Character Area map of England and also through the well established practice of using landscape character assessment to inform local policy making. Cleator Moor is undergoing extensive regeneration work at the moment to capture the former glory and the difference is highly visible for all to see. There is a great difference in the last five years with new companies setting up and establishing themselves here is an indication of the work going on to make Cleator Moor a better place to live and work, and long may it continue. The Town is on the up also with tourism coming through via the C2C Route: local businesses are taking advantage of this, such as the Angling and Outdoor Company (Post Office) on Ennerdale Road in Cleator Moor which offers a variety of outdoor clothing and fishing tackle to meet the demand of the passing tourists. Tourists have always visited the area mainly because of the Kangol Factory shop that is still operating today; coach parties still stop off at the Kangol Shop. References (Oct 2001). European Landscape Convention. [online] Available: conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/176.htm. Last accessed 20 Feb 2008 (05 April 2007). Regeneration projects. [Online] Available: copelandbc.gov.uk. Last accessed 20 Feb 2008. (Jan 2008). Any-village. [Online] Available: CleatorMoor.co.uk. Last accessed 19 Feb 2008 (28 Jan 2008). Cleator Moor. [ Online] Available: Wikipedia.com. Last accessed 20 Feb 2008 (Jan 2008). International Council on Monuments and Sites. [Online] Available: http://www.Icomos-uk.org. Last accessed 20 Feb 2008 (25 Jan 2008). Social equality. [ Online] Available: Wikipedia.com. Last accessed 19 Feb 2008 (April 2007). Whitehaven News. [ Online] Available: http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/localhistory/viewarticle.aspx?id=491757,. Last accessed 20 Feb 2008 (Jan 2008). Cleator Moor. [ Online] Available: http://www.themoor.ukf.net/ Last accessed 20 Feb 2008 Read More