Silverman, Emily
(2007)
Families and urban regeneration: the case of mixed income new communities in the uk.
PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.
Abstract
This thesis investigates the potential of inner-city MINCs to attract and retain families in private homes. MINCs are new housing developments with both social rented and market-rate homes, and are supported by current policy for higher density urban regeneration in Britain. The presence of better-off families in MINCs, not just childless households, is important: according to studies of 'area effects', better-off families can help improve schools and other services shared with low-income children. Further, most research in mixed tenure areas has found that social interaction across tenures is strongest among households with children. Inner-city MINCs may also offer an opportunity to stem the stream of non-poor families out of cities, if they can become good places to raise children. Families' choices to live in or leave inner-city MINCs are explored at three UK case studies areas, selected as among those most likely to attract families to the market-rate homes: Greenwich Millennium Village and Britannia Village, both in London, and the New Gorbals in Glasgow. Each case study involved a survey of 100 residents; semi-structured interviews with about 20 families in market-rate homes, 10 families in social rented homes, and 20 key actors; Census analysis, and a review of primary documents. There were more families in the private sector homes than developers and planners expected. Each area attracted different types of families, based on their socio-demographic characteristics, previous ties to the neighbourhood, and attitudes to city living. Families' decisions to live in and leave these neighbourhoods were influenced by the planning, design, and management of homes, schools, and open spaces, as well as by the social mix and community life. The research concludes that carefully managed MINCs may be able to retain non-poor families in the inner cities, but this will require more explicit policy support, as well as deeper understanding of the different types of families and their expectations and contributions. This new understanding contributes to knowledge about sustainable communities, 'child-friendly cities' and the broader urban renaissance agenda.
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