Abstract
This paper proposes a reversal of perspective in the evaluation of Regeneration projects. Until now, attention has been mainly focused on project “internal effectiveness”, in reference to the environment and life quality improvement of the areas directly affected by the interventions. The effects induced in the wider urban context are rarely sufficiently analyzed. This aspect instead opens an important field of investigation, useful for a broader assessment of regeneration initiatives, especially with regards to Public Housing Neighborhoods where the long-term project success also depends on the positive effects it generates in the surroundings. Therefore, the aim of this research is to develop a conceptualization of “Outwards Regeneration Effects” (OREs), based on an extensive literature review, and to make it operational through a conceptual framework for the qualitative analysis. The results of this study, on the one hand, highlight several critical issues raised by the interventions implemented so far, and, on the other hand, provide a more effective assessment framework, useful in the evaluation of future projects. Further developments of such an approach could lead to the development of operational evaluation models, combining both qualitative and quantitative indicators, starting from the implementation of the proposed analytic framework.
Highlights
The regeneration of public housing neighborhoods periodically becomes a political and policy priority
The negative perception of deprived neighborhoods is often even further reinforced, producing a vicious circle from which it is difficult to escape. According to these considerations supported by a literature review (Section 2), this paper suggests a reversal of perspective, shifting attention from the effects produced by interventions within the neighborhood which characterize the area-based approach, towards the effects on the surroundings, which are defined here as “Outwards Regeneration Effects” (OREs) (Section 3)
As highlighted by the literature review, current evaluation models are unable to consider these aspects, or they do so partially. Trying to overcome these limits, the research shows that there is a low perception of the impacts of urban regeneration projects in their urban contexts, outside the perimeter of the project areas
Summary
The regeneration of public housing neighborhoods periodically becomes a political and policy priority. This often occurs in periods of socio-economic crisis, during which specific interventions are promoted by central and local governments that allocate substantial funds in order to face an emergency condition In this context, area-based initiatives are privileged because they respond to the need to identify priority project areas and to optimize economic resources. According to these considerations supported by a literature review (Section 2), this paper suggests a reversal of perspective, shifting attention from the effects produced by interventions within the neighborhood which characterize the area-based approach, towards the effects on the surroundings, which are defined here as “Outwards Regeneration Effects” (OREs) (Section 3) To explain this concept, the proposed analysis refers to the study conducted by Peter Hall in the late 1990s, who highlighted the differences between an “inward-looking” and “outward-looking” policy approach to the regeneration of peripheral housing estates [1]. OREs analysis provides an alternative explanation of the success/failure factors in regeneration projects; on the other hand, it offers a tool for quick assessment of the future projects’ effects
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