CRE investigates Regeneration

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is calling for evidence to assist it with its general investigation into regeneration in England, Scotland and Wales.

The CRE states acceptance that regeneration and the resulting inward investment it brings may benefit local communities and businesses as well as assisting in the building of integrated communities, however they are concerned that those involved in delivering physical regeneration may not have considered the full effects that regeneration schemes can have on different racial schemes.

What is physical regeneration?

For the purpose of this investigation, the CRE define physical regeneration as ‘work on the physical fabric of an area where such work forms part of a strategy to promote social, physical and economic improvements in a given locality, rather than just redevelopment driven solely by market forces. Such work may range in scale from major developments to simple refurbishments of public sector housing and will include both those delivered primarily by public organisations and projects where the lead is taken by private or voluntary sector agencies’.

Why this investigation?

The reason for this investigation is based on the CRE’s experience of working in this area as well as issues such as the lack of representation on decision making bodies, unequal funding allocation and limited or no engagement with local residents and businesses.

The CRE has statutory powers to conduct formal investigations and the scope of this general investigation into regeneration will:

• Consider whether listed bodies comply with their race equality duty pursuant to s71(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976 with regards to their regeneration functions;

• Assess the impact of physical regeneration projects on the social and economic wellbeing of the communities living and working in the area being regenerated; and

• Understand the barriers to race equality and good race relations and in consultation with stakeholders to identify good practice and make achievable recommendations for this sector.

The CRE states recognition of the positive outcomes of regeneration which includes the improvement of people’s environment as well as encouraging economic wealth to previously deprived areas but stresses the need to find ways of achieving these outcomes without it being at the expense of displacing vibrant and diverse communities.

They describe ‘good’ regeneration projects as those that are able to find a balance between commercial considerations and the social and economic interests of existing communities.

This investigation will identify good practice and identify areas where there has been a failure to take account of the race equality duty.

How to contribute to this

The investigation team is inviting evidence from individuals and groups who have experience of a physical regeneration project they have either worked on or one that they have been affected by. Information should be sent in writing by the end of January 2007 by e-mail to:
regenFI@cre.gov.uk with the e-mail subject line titled – Call for Evidence

To respond by post, send to:

Regeneration Formal Investigation Team

Legal Services and Enforcement Directorate

St Dunstan’s House

201-211 Borough High Street

London

SE1 1GZ

If you have any difficulty in presenting your evidence, please call Bolaji at BNRRN on 020 981 3003 or the CRE Project Support Officer on 020 7939 0159 for support.

For further information on this go to the CRE website at:
http://www.cre.gov.uk/about/regeneration.html