This part of the website has been developed to help you to find examples of good practice.
Please note that some of these will take you to other websites. We take no responsibility for the content of these.
Community Regeneration
Community Can Cycle
An SCR case study on generating income through recycling to benefit the local community
Community Knowledge Centre
An SCR case study on helping community organisations to use statistics and research
Critical Urban Areas (Portugal)
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on rehabilitating areas of social and economic deprivation
Greenwich Peninsula
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on the benefits of partnership working in regeneration projects
Making a Difference: Good Practice in Communities First
This booklet is published by Welsh Assembly Government to showcase good practice from Communities First areas around Wales.
Mapping 'Liveability' in Bristol
This case study from Creating Excellence focuses on a Bristol City Council project aiming to understand residents' perceptions of liveability in their local neighbourhood.
Medicon Valley Alliance (Denmark/Sweden)
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on building cross-border alliances that help build business
Mill of Haldane Green Corridor
An SCR case study on raising local people's aspirations by changing the appearance and perception of their housing estate
Ormlie Community Association
An SCR case study on improving a housing estate
Paddington Development Trust
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on building a sustainable community through effective partnerships
Raploch Urban Regeneration Company
An SCR case study on creating a strategic framework to measure success
R.A.V.E Space Interreg (Slovenia)
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on rehabilitating areas of social and economic deprivation
Regeneration in Roubaix (France)
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on dealing with profound socio-economic change
State of the Neighbourhoods (SON): Local Data System for Neighbourhood Renewal
The State of the Neighbourhoods (SON) is a database of socio-economic indicators designed to support the management and delivery of neighbourhood renewal across the City of Bristol. Published by Creating Excellence.
Income equality and poverty
Cornwall Strategic Partnership
A Child Poverty Toolkit case study on a County-wide Family Service to reduce child poverty
Government Office for the North East
A Child Poverty Toolkit case study on a regional child poverty strategy
The Knowsley LSP
A Child Poverty Toolkit case study on a borough-wide approach that will contribute to a broader Merseyside strategy
London Borough of Enfield
A Child Poverty Toolkit case study on maximising child poverty funding through One Large Intervention (OLI)
Employability
Accent Community Partnerships, Bradford
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on developing workforce skills to meet local needs
Barnardos Youthbuild
An SCR case study on Supporting young, disadvantaged people into employment
BECOME - Greets Green Partnership
This RegenWM Case Study focuses on a project that takes a holistic approach to tackling unemployment
Building One Stop Shop (BOSS)
Case study from SCR commissioned publication "Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment" Building One Stop Shop (BOSS) was established in 1999 in preparation for the construction of the new £840m Wembley Stadium, which was one of a number of large construction projects in West London.
Construction JobMATCH Programme
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on sustainable employment for local people in Sheffield
Coventry and Warwickshire Construction and Employment Unit
RegenWM case study on a not-for-profit organisation which aims to provide a quality service to the local construction industry by ensuring the recruitment of local workers
Edinburgh Waterfront
Case study from SCR commissioned publication "Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment" The aim of the approach, led by the Edinburgh Waterfront Partnership, is to connect unemployed Edinburgh residents to the construction and end-use jobs created by the Edinburgh Waterfront project.
Engaging with local employers to tackle worklessness: the South Bank experience
The South Bank Employers' Group (SBEG) - a partnership of 16 major companies and organisations in South Bank, Waterloo and Blackfriars - is driving this process by engaging with local employers and brokering programmes to match local jobs with local people The South Bank Employers' Group (SBEG) is a partnership of 16 major companies and organisations and is the main business partner on the Lambeth Local Strategic Partnership and contributes towards employment and training targets in Lambeth's Local Area Agreement. An IDEA case study.
Full Employment Area Initiative
An SCR case study on Engaging with hard to reach unemployed people
Gasworks Employment Matching Service
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on integrating the long-term unemployed into the Belfast labour market
Glasgow Fort Partnership
An SCR case study on working in partnership to improve the local social economy
See also Glasgow Fort Partnership case study from SCR-commissioned publication Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment.
Glasgow Housing Association
Case study from SCR commissioned publication Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment. This project's intention is for new entrants to the construction industry to benefit from the opportunities created, with a particular desire for unemployed Glasgow residents to benefit - many of whom live in Scotland's most deprived communities.
Handleman UK's Recruitment Project
Case study from SCR commissioned publication Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment. The aim of this approach was to secure employment opportunities from Handleman's large-scale inward investment for local people, in particular economically inactive residents in East Bolton.
Hillcrest Housing Association
Case study from SCR commissioned publication Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment. Dundee-based Hillcrest Housing Association has developed an apprenticeship programme linked to a 4-year £4m housing investment programme. The target client group for the programme were local disadvantaged young people.
Joined Up For Jobs and the Cities Strategy Pathfinder
An SCR case study on a joined up strategy for helping people back into work
London Borough of Newham
A Child Poverty Toolkit case study on creating employment pathways to tackle entrenched
London Stansted Employment Project
Case study from SCR commissioned publication "Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment" The overall aim of the LSEP is to promote and connect the employment opportunities at Stansted Airport to residents of North and East London.
The Municipal Job Agency (Leipzig, Germany)
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on defying economic odds in post-reunification East Germany
Quays to Employment Gateshead
Case study from SCR commissioned publication "Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment." This approach is designed to open up employment opportunities to local unwaged and unemployed individuals from capital regeneration schemes in Gateshead.
Raploch Urban Regeneration Company
Case study from SCR commissioned publication "Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment." The comprehensive regeneration of the Raploch estate in Stirling involves around £120 million of housing renewal and public realm development over 10 years. As part of the Scottish Government's Community Benefits in Public Procurement Pilot ( CBIP) Programme the development provides significant opportunity for local people and businesses.
Routes to Inclusion Partnership
Case study from SCR commissioned publication "Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment. "The Routes to Inclusion model opens up a wide range of employment opportunities across Lanarkshire tied into large scale physical regeneration investment, employer expansion and ongoing employer recruitment needs.
Safer Homes Initiative
An SCR case study on providing employment and training opportunities for local residents and making people's homes safer
Salford Health Investment for Tomorrow (SHIFT)
Case study from SCR commissioned publication "Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment." The focus of this case study will be on one of the 5 key developments within the SHIFT programme, namely the £200 million redevelopment of the Salford Royal (formerly Hope Hospital) site in Salford. Employment opportunities are expected in both the construction and facilities management phases.
Steps to Work Walsall Ltd
A social enterprise set up to provide support, advice and training to Walsall's unemployed. A RegenWM case study.
Styria's clustering (Austria)
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on using clusters to kick-start a local economy
Torino Drop-in Centre (Italy)
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on helping immigrants integrate into the labour market
West at Work
Case study from SCR commissioned publication "Linking Opportunity and Need: Maximising the Regeneration Benefits from Physical Investment. "West at Work is a partnership that is developing LOAN approaches connected to a series of major developments across the West of England. The most advanced development is Cabot Circus in Bristol and is the focus of this case study.
Young people, early years and education
Donnington Wood Lifelong Learning Centre
This project aimed to build a community learning centre. A RegenWM case study.
HELP (Argyll and Bute)
An SCR case study on ensuring vulnerable young people get a good start in life
Hollybush Primary School, Leeds
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on a primary school that provides a range of community services
Idea Stores, Tower Hamlets
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on transforming local library and learning services
Marlowe Academy
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on redefining a school's place in the local community
New Sporting Futures
An SCR case study on using sports to engage with young people
Partnership Council Children's Forum
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on giving children a voice in the community
Planning and Citizenship in Schools
Developing lesson plans to teach planning and citizenship in schools which proved to be empowering for young people. A RegenWM case study.
Planning for Real in the 21st Century
A RegenWM case study. Deaconsfield High School in Wolverhampton took the Planning for Real citizenship pack through its final development phase.
Schools Cohesion Project, Hampshire
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on 'twinning' schools to introduce children to differing perspectives and beliefs
SCORE Project
A RegenWM case study. The SCORE project provides community based support for adults with significant learning disabilities around Hereford.
U Decide, Newcastle City Council
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on empowering young people to make decisions on local spending
Yipworld
An SCR case study on encouraging young people to become active citizens
Young People's Voice
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on inspiring marginalised young people through volunteering
Health and wellbeing
Adult Care Services in Hertfordshire
An SCR case study on integrating services and pooling budgets - developing innovative approaches to working together
Billeseley Best Buddies
A RegenWM case study. Billesely Best Buddies is a scheme to encourage mothers to breast feed through peer support.
Fife Regeneration, Health and Wellbeing
An SCR case study on finding out what people think about their health and wellbeing
Goscote and North Walsall Foods
Goscote and North Walsall Foods is a fresh food scheme run from an area of high deprivation. A RegenWM case study.
Learning to Involve
A Creating Excellence case study of user involvement in Health and Social Care Service in Devon
North West Kilmarnock Area Centre
An SCR case study on a partnership project between NHS Ayrshire and Arran and East Ayrshire Council. A state of the art, purpose-built facility providing a range of health and social care services.
No Worries in Weston: an integrated multi-agency approach to reducing teenage pregnancies
In Weston-super-Mare they established 'No Worries' - a health scheme initially set up in South Gloucestershire - was adopted and developed in Weston and other areas of North Somerset to provide an innovative approach to sexual health education. It provides 'badged' advice and help on a range of health-related issues, including sex and relationships and contraception. An IDEA case study.
Service delivery
Auchmountain
An SCR case study on a state of the art community resource centre designed with the community
The Community Block
An SCR case study on delivering joined up community facilities
The Dalmellington Area Centre
An SCR case study on an innovative approach, successful in delivering services
Funding Action Stoke on Trent (FAST)
A RegenWM case study. FAST is a scheme to fund small scale grass roots regeneration projects.
Glasgow Community and Safety Services
An SCR case study on joining up staff and resources to prevent crime, tackle antisocial behaviour and promote community safety
The Hub
An SCR case study on providing a range of community support under one roof
Joined Up Commissioning of Interpretation and Translation Services
An SCR case study on developing sustainable interpretation and translation services across Highland
Kenton Customer Service Centre
An SCR case study on a one-stop-shop providing a range of services to the local community. Newcastle City Council and the Primary Care Trust worked together to develop the centre which was funded using the public finance initiative.
Local Links
An SCR case study on a pilot project in West Yorkshire
Mevagissey Activity Centre - RISE Social Enterprise Case Study Film
A social enterprise that provides a range of services and activities in sport, leisure and learning. A Creating Excellence case study.
Operation Trap
A RegenWM case study on a project responding to local people's concerns in direct and practical ways so as to encourage trust in public services.
Orkney Shared Services
An SCR case study on an ambitious approach to partnership
Perry Common Regeneration Partnership
This initiative is owned and run by its residents in partnership with the local Anglican Church. It aims to meet the social, economic, health and emotional needs of the community. A RegenWM case study.
Rosebud SRB
The case study from RegenWM showcases a project demonstrating how regular reviews of project goals helped to keep work on target and renew the commitment and enthusiasm of all involved.
Sharing Understanding of Violent Crime Patterns in Somerset to Target Delivery
This Creating Excellence case study describes work undertaken on violent crime patterns.
South Wiltshire Funding Service
This Creating Excellence case study illustrates how Wilshire Charities Information Bureau, Salisbury District Council and Salisbury and District Council for Voluntary Services pooled resources to provide seamless services for user organisations.
Strathbrock Partnership Centre
An SCR case study on a centre bringing together public, voluntary and private sector services in Broxburn, West Lothian
Sunderland Bunny Hill
An SCR case study on widening access to services for the local community by providing them under one roof in Sunderland.
UnderCOVER
An SCR case study on a one stop shop for community organisations and volunteers
Understanding Access to Services: Using GIS Tools to Improve Transport Services in Dorset
This Creating Excellence case study describes work Dorset County Council have undertaken using softwae called 'Acession'.
West Lothian Connected
An SCR case study on a one-stop-shop located in a busy shopping centre bringing together a range of public sector agencies.
Community Engagement and Empowerment
Ardler Village Trust
An SCR case study on involving the local community in the physical, economic and social regeneration or Ardler
Art for All, Oldham
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on building community pride through the arts
Cornwall's volunteering public service programme
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on using Volunteers to build bigger and better public services
The Eldonians of Liverpool
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on outstanding achievement in local leadership
The Good Relations Programme, Burnley
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on providing mediation and conflict resolution to build trust in the community
Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust
An SCR case study on a community buy-out empowering local people to make decisions affecting the Island
Mixenden Community Link
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on finding local solutions in partnership with local people
Neighbourhood Watch - Friction Arts
A RegenWM case study. This project investigates what life is like for inner-city residents.
Petersburn
An SCR case study on creating a development trust to empower the community
Royston Road Project
An SCR case study on building community confidence through physical regeneration
South Wye News
A Regen WM case study. A volunteer run community newspaper representing the views of residents in South Wye in Hereford.
This Is Not A Gateway
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on creating a forum for new ideas on urban citizenship
Transformation of Northmoor, Manchester
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on remodelling a neighbourhood to meet residents' needs
See also the SCR's How to Guide to Community Engagement
Experience from elsewhere (New!)
Youth participation in a national health campaign - HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia
Building community skills - The House of Daily Life in Italy
Involving communities in improving services - The Vermeerveld Park
Using innovative engagement methods
Dealing with controversy - Community Theatre
Having a say in budget setting - Open budgets
Using sport to involve people - Football and learning
Combining different techniques - Innovative techniques in Southampton
Engagement theme
Capacity building - Countdown East End
Information gathering - Aberdeen City Voice
Identifying regeneration priorities - Next Steps Art Project
Encouraging people to play an active part in shaping their communities - Planning Aid for Scotland
Engaging with equalities groups
Involving minority ethnic communities - Diversity lunches
Involving people with communication difficulties - 'Getting together' days
Involving LGBT people - Aberdeen LGBT action plan
Involving older people - Fife user panels
Involving young people - Stirling young people's charter
Other useful case studies
Community engagement in Queensland, Australia
Engagement with environmental and social goals in the United States
Examples of what works in youth participation from around the world
Case studies demonstrating involvement of children and young people in schools
Community engagement in projects in the Highlands and Islands
Developing communities through art in Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
A bank of twelve 'trailblazing' projects, which focused on using culture to engage communities - Cultural Pathfinders
Rural issues
Switch on Shropshire
A Housing and Communities Academy case study on a project to promote the benefits of broadband and provide internet access in rural areas
Town Centres
Scotland good practice guide
This report produced by the Association of Town Centre Managers (ATCM) features award winners and commended entries for the 2006 ATCM Scotland Awards. Each of the examples illustrates a demonstrable improvement to the relevant town or city centre. In some cases this was achieved on a very limited budget thanks to the dedication and commitment of a number of partners. In each case the role of town centre management was crucial to the success of the project.
Retailing, sustainability and neighbourhood regeneration
This Joseph Rowntree Foundation study looked at retailing in regeneration areas, based on 14 case studies around Britain. These were selected to represent a range of challenges, including refurbishment of existing local shopping precincts, parades of shops, high streets and market halls; and demolition and rebuilding of shopping centres and even construction of new high streets and market halls. A final case study looked at a large shopping mall on brownfield land. The cases were also selected because each initiative has made significant achievements in retail regeneration. Each case study identifies 'points of inspiration' or best practice but also 'constraints on regeneration' which are areas of lack of achievement or unresolved issues.
Resource for Urban Design Information (RUDI) Case Studies:
Access all areas: A new city heart for Liverpool
The choice of a single development partner has been a fundamental driver in the success of a retail-led, mixed use development in Liverpool. The Paradise Project was planned to create a new, easily accessible city centre.
A framework for urban design skills
To raise placemaking standards through training and education, and through learning on the job, this case study looks at the ability to assess an individual's capacity. A new skills initiative is being undertaken by a London Borough which aims to set a baseline for assessing 'recognised practitioners'.
Barcelona: City Information
This case study contains background information on the history, architecture and planning of the city of Barcelona. The preparation of this case study was commissioned and partly funded by the School of the Built Environment, De Montfort University for use by their students in project work.
Bespoke house types add quality and character
The South Devon College Campus regeneration scheme, Torquay, features bespoke house designs and an integrated public realm that balances the needs of traffic and parking.
Merton Rise, Popley: Blending new with old
Community integration and the wish to avoid a potential 'us and them' situation were key drivers behind an urban extension at Merton Rise, Popley.
Bristol Harbourside
One of the most distinctive features of Bristol city centre is the floating harbour, which winds its way through the area to the north of the river Avon. Following the decline of the docks, during the 1960s, the city council had planned to fill in parts and build new roads over it. This important feature of the city's heritage was saved when these plans were shelved for financial reasons in the recession of the early 1970s.
Bury St Edmonds: pioneering the historic core zone approach
Bury St Edmonds has a population of 35,000 and lies 45 miles east of Cambridge, by passed by the A14 to Ipswich. Like many smaller towns, it has an informal ring road system and parking continues to remain a sensitive local issue. It has striven to retain as much of its historic character as possible, its traditional market days dominating the centre on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Can we deliver zero carbon?
Hanham Hall near Bristol is the first site to be develop in the English Partnerships' Carbon Challenge. The initiative is testing the skills and appetite of developers to meet the zero carbon challenges of the future.
All parties working together: Dove Lane, Bristol
The Dove Lane project in St Paul's, Bristol, encouraged a collaborative approach in two ways: an innovative community consultation plan engaged the public, while the development partners signed a Planning Performance Agreement.
Greenwich Peninsula: A new place in the making
A stretch of undeveloped land on a distinctive curve of the Thames has provided a blank canvas and an unrivalled opportunity to develop Greenwich Peninsula, a new place for London.
Folkestone: a case study in arts-led regeneration
Folkestone is pinning its hopes of revival on a programme of long term arts led regeneration. Unusually, this is being headed by a charitable organisation, The Creative Foundation, which has established itself as a major landowner in the town. The charity has bought up a large number of run-down properties in the oldest part of the town centre and in what it has renamed the 'Creative Quarter' of Folkestone, it is renovating properties for letting to artists and creative businesses.
For place's sake - refurbish don't rebuild
Preserving the unique sense of place and identity associated with communities is a key element of placemaking. The refurbishment of homes, rather than demolition and replacement, should be seen as a favourable sustainability option.
Hastings: Education and heritage led regeneration
Education is regarded as one key element in a major programme of regeneration which has the aim of reviving the economy of the seaside town of Hastings, East Sussex, along with its neighbour Bexhill. A new style 'multi-versity' now has over 700 students, while a new further education college is under construction.
Ludlow: Case study of a successful market town
Ludlow is the largest town in the South Shropshire District. It has a Norman Castle and a large number of listed buildings. While trading on its past to attract visitors year round, it is also striving to look to the future and in 2004 was given funding by Advantage West Midlands to build a new eco-park on the edge of the town.
More than the sum of its parts
We need to learn from traditional placemaking and not turn our backs on the streets, squares and the places that have been successful through the ages. This case study looks at the lessons that can be learned from Copenhagen.
Oxford town trail
Oxford is famous for its University, its historic and modern buildings and its atmosphere. This town trail through part of the central area is based on the conviction that Oxford is also exception for its urban spaces.
Shrewsbury: Urban design in a historic core town
A sensitive approach to urban design has been adapted in Shrewsbury, seeking to tackle some of the visual problems caused in historic towns by the clutter of modern road signage and inappropriate paving materials.
St Johns Square, Blackpool: Flexible, multi-activity public space
London-based, architectural practice leit-werk won a £3.5million competition to re-design a key public space in the heart of Blackpool. The redevelopment of the St John's Precinct area forms part of the greater regeneration plan being delivered by ReBlackpool - the town's urban regeneration company. St John's Precinct project is being managed and delivered by Blackpool Council through its Townscape Heritage Initiative with additional funding from the North West Regional Development Agency.
Streets are places too
This case study says Local Authorities could - and should - have taken a little trouble to make sure that road design and maintenance was coordinated with town planning.
Survival of the fittest: places must respond to survive
Planning meets preservation, urban design meets conservation. If we reconcile identity and technology, there is no reason why character and innovation should not go together.
Virtual Slaithwaite: A public participation
This paper examines the potential of using the World Wide Web interface as a tool for increasing public participation in environmental decision making. The use of on-line geographical features as an alternative to a traditional 'Planning For Real' ® exercise was the main aim of the project.
Vital and Viable Towns
Measuring the relationship between successful public realm and successful development. By Roger Evans and Conrad Kickert (REAL).
Walsall: waterfront-led regeneration
The Walsall Regeneration Company formed in March 2004 to lead regeneration in Walsall and the surrounding area. It has drawn up a framework for development that sets out to transform the town over the next 10 to 15 years.