Regeneration with a human facecan people-centred approaches help us develop policies that work?

A long and winding roadHow we got here and the challenge of knowing what works

The persistence of palatable paradigmsQuestions that are embarrassing to ask in public

Stepping stones to reciprocal regenerationSix pillars of people-centred policy

Rediscovering reciprocityFrom ‘something for nothing’ to sustainable livelihoods

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Home sweet home: a way of thinking?‘Objects and places are centres of value. They attract or repel in finely shaded degrees.’ (Yi-Fu Tuan, Space and Place)

A long and winding roadHow we got here and the challenge of knowing what works

The persistence of palatable paradigmsQuestions that are embarrassing to ask in public

Stepping stones to reciprocal regenerationSix pillars of people-centred policy

Rediscovering reciprocityFrom ‘something for nothing’ to sustainable livelihoods

1

2

34

‘Not knowing what works’‘The closer you get to the ground, the more intertwined the social issues are.’ (Chanan and Miller, Rethinking Community Practice)

‘Not knowing what works’‘Within ten to 20 years, nobody should be seriously disadvantaged by where they live.’ (Tony Blair, Bringing Britain Together, 2001)

‘Not knowing what works’‘Raising the growth rate in all regions and reducing the gap in growth rates between regions remains extremely challenging.’ (HM Treasury, Sub-national review of economic development and regeneration, 2007)

Definitions and destinations‘Regeneration is the action of citizens and those who work with them to recreate home for new times, especially where there is poverty and disadvantage.’ (New Start magazine, 2010)

The retreat from complexity‘It is only through economic growth that as a country we will have the resources and opportunities to tackle unemployment, poverty, poor health and inequality...’ (DCLG, 2012)

The ‘get a job’ regeneration creed‘For too long, we’ve had a system where people who did the right thing - who get up in the morning and work hard - felt penalised for it, while people who did the wrong thing got rewarded for it.’ (George Osborne, 2 April 2013)

‘Get a job’ regeneration in action

In March, DFS in Wolverhampton advertised 22 jobs. There were 2,497 applicants.

In February, Costa Coffee in Nottingham advertised 8 jobs. There were 1,700 applicants.

Every month another 10,000 working families require housing benefit to help pay the rent.

A long and winding roadHow we got here and the challenge of knowing what works

The persistence of palatable paradigmsQuestions that are embarrassing to ask in public

Stepping stones to reciprocal regenerationSix pillars of people-centred policy

Rediscovering reciprocityFrom ‘something for nothing’ to sustainable livelihoods

1

2

34

What if ‘growth’ is part of the problem?‘Prosperity for the few founded on ecological destruction and persistent social injustice is no foundation for a civilised society.’ (Tim Jackson, Prosperity Without Growth)Graphs: Tax Research UK, August 2012 (left); Earth Policy Institute, 2013 (right)

Is a blame culture making things worse?63% say the benefits system is not working; 72% say politicians should do more to cut benefits; 84% say there should be stricter testing for incapacity benefits (Ipsos MORI poll, October 2011)

C20 paradigms: nasty, brutish and rich?‘The realities of poverty, anxiety, environmental degradation, and unhappiness in the midst of great plenty should not be regarded as mere curiosities. They require our urgent attention...” (Jeffrey Sachs, World Happiness Report)

A long and winding roadHow we got here and the challenge of knowing what works

The persistence of palatable paradigmsQuestions that are embarrassing to ask in public

Stepping stones to reciprocal regenerationSix pillars of people-centred policy

Rediscovering reciprocityFrom ‘something for nothing’ to sustainable livelihoods

1

2

34

All in it together: WECH, London‘If more places were like WECH there would be more happiness.’ (Local resident, 2010)

All in it together: Giroscope, Hull‘Being based in the community, you get to know the intricacies of streets right down to quite a local level.’ (Martin Newman, Giroscope)

All in it together: If you eat, you’re in‘This isn’t a veg scheme, it’s a behaviour shift scheme.’ (Pam Warhurst, Incredible Edible Todmorden)

Reframing reciprocity: the Big Society?‘If the big society is anything better than a slogan... discussion has to take on board what it is to be a citizen and where it is that we most deeply and helpfully acquire the resources of civic identity and dignity.’ Rowan Williams, July 2012

Reframing reciprocity: relational welfare‘Taking the “relational practice” concept seriously would involve the largest departure from the traditional focus of welfare policy... the central concern would be whether welfare treats people as human beings.’ (Graeme Cooke, Contributory Welfare)

Reframing reciprocity: building trust‘Reputation is a personal reward that is intimately bound up with respecting and considering the needs of others.’ (Rachel Botsman and Roo Rogers, What’s Mine is Yours)

Towards sustainable livelihoods‘The starting point is not deprivation but assets: the strengths and capabilities of people living in poverty, and the strategies they use, through drawing on these different assets, to “get by”.’ (IPPR, Community Assets First)

A long and winding roadHow we got here and the challenge of knowing what works

The persistence of palatable paradigmsQuestions that are embarrassing to ask in public

Stepping stones to reciprocal regenerationSix pillars of people-centred policy

Rediscovering reciprocityFrom ‘something for nothing’ to sustainable livelihoods

1

2

34

Stepping stone 1: build networks‘“Familiar strangers” like postmen and dustmen appear to be under-utilised community resources... more people recognise and find value in their postman than in their local councillor.’ (Connected Communities, RSA)

Stepping stone 2: build resilience‘...translational leaders play a critical role, frequently behind the scenes, connecting constituencies, and weaving various networks, perspectives, knowledge systems and agendas into a coherent whole.’ (Andrew Zolli and Ann Marie Healy, Resilience)

Stepping stone 3: build participationA study of participatory budgeting in Govanhill, Glasgow, found that ‘the process has enabled purposeful and reciprocal dialogue between community members and the public and third sectors’. (Harkins and Egan, 2012)

Stepping stone 4: ownership & accessIn 35 years, Coin Street Community Builders has turned 13 acres of derelict land on London’s South Bank into a thriving neighbourhood, with co-operative housing, businesses, gardens and a riverside walkway.

Stepping stone 5: maximise rewardsOrganisations such as WiganPlus and Rewardyourworld.com are developing reward schemes where people can earn points for volunteering or supporting local businesses, and spend them on local services or donate them to charities.

Stepping stone 6: build the job market‘Services that are provided within a locality should be done as far as possible by the people who live there, and public service contracts specified in ways that facilitate this.’ (ResPublica, Responsible Recovery)

Three redistributions: income, work, value‘The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.’ (Nelson Henderson)