Regeneration strategies and Cultural Identities in the UK - Essay Example

?Regeneration Strategies and Cultural Identities in the UK Introduction The lives of human beings have changed for several years now. The main changehas 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). 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 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). 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 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 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 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). References Carley, M (2000), Urban Regeneration through Partnership: A Study in Nine Urban Regions In England, Wales And Scotland, London: The Policy Press. Eisinger, P (2000), The Politics of Bread And Circuses: Building The City For The Visitor Class, Urban Affairs Review, 35(3), London, Routledge. Evans, G. (2003), Hard Branding the Cultural City- From Prado to Prada, International Journal Of Urban And Regional Research, 27(2). Evans, G and Shaw, P (2004), The Contribution of Culture to Regeneration in the UK: A Report to the DCMS, London: London Metropolitan University. Florida, R (2002), The Rise Of The Creative Class; And How It Is Transforming Work, Leisure, Community And Everyday life, New York: Perseus Book Group. Garcia, B (2004), Cultural Policy and Urban Regeneration in Western European Cities: Lessons from Experience, Prospects for the Future: Local Economy Vol 19, No. 4: 312-326 Gouldson, A and Roberts, P (2000), Integrating Environment And Economy; Strategies For Local And Regional Government, London: Routledge. Green, A And Pollard, A (2007), Regions And Regionalism In History: Regional Identities In North East England, 1300-2000, Suffolk; The Bodydell Press. Jenkins, P (2005), Space, Place and Territory: An Analytical Framework, London: Oxford University Press. Judd, D (2000), Constructing the Tourist Bubble in Judd and Fainstein the Tourist City, New Haven; Yale University Press. Kavaratzis, M and Ashworth, G (2006), City Branding; An Effective Assertion Of Identity Or A Transitory Marketing Trick, Place Branding, 2(3). Keating, M And De Frantz, M (2004), Culture Led Strategies For Urban Regeneration: A Comprehensive Perspective On Bilbao, London: Rouledge. Lawrence, C And Mayer, A (2000), Regenerating England: Science, Medicine And Culture In Inter War Britain, London: Rodopi. Macleod, G (2002), From Urban Entrepreneurialism to A Revanchist City on The Social Injustices of Glasgow’s Renaissance, Glasgow: Antipode. McGregor, A (2003), Developing People- Regenerating Place: Achieving Greater Integration In Local Area Regeneration, London: The Policy Press. Miles, S (2004), NewscastleGatehead Quayside: Cultural Investment and Identities of Resistance, London; Routledge. Osborne, P (2002), Community Involvement in Rural Regeneration Partnerships in the UK, London: The Policy Press. Plymouth City Council (2003), Millbay Area Regeneration Strategy: Final Report Strategy, Plymouth City Council. Smith, M (2007), Tourism, Culture and Regeneration, London: CABI. Tallon, A (2009), Urban Regeneration in the UK, London; Taylor & Francis. Read More