Oh God, What Now? Build, baby, build – Is Labour losing the Regeneration Game?
Sep 30, 2025
Join Anna Minton, a Reader in architecture and author on housing issues, as she dives deep into the challenges of urban regeneration. She reveals the pitfalls of private-led projects and how they prioritize land value over community needs. Minton compares regeneration horror stories from around the world, discusses the limitations of placemaking, and highlights models from Europe that focus on social housing. The conversation also touches on the political implications of local decline and the urgent need for a shift in housing policy.
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Regeneration's Hidden Motive
- Regeneration promises to fix neglected places but often prioritises property-value growth over residents' needs.
- That model can fuel exclusion, anger and political polarisation when benefits don't reach locals.
Waterfront Revamps Often Fail
- Baltimore-style waterfront regeneration aimed to attract private capital with state subsidies and raise land values.
- It often fails long-term and can leave glamorous projects derelict while displacing local communities.
Albert Dock’s Uneven Benefits
- Liverpool's Albert Dock became lively but mainly benefits visitors and wealthier residents.
- Many local people remain excluded and rarely use the redeveloped areas.
