Regeneration
"Our towns and cities are a sea of potential which has not yet been tapped. Mobilising this potential in a sustainable and responsible manner is the future challenge for urban regeneration." - Committee of the European Communities
The European Commission and the UK Government remain committed to urban and rural regeneration, with policy support and funding flowing from this.
A fundamental task for policymakers and practitioners is to ensure that investment made today will deliver value in the future. The process of securing lasting regeneration remains a challenge: agreement needs to be secured on what is to be achieved and how. Practitioners always need to focus in a more co-ordinated way on problems and the areas where they are concentrated. Good research plays a vital role in monitoring and improving the effectiveness of regeneration projects in the urban and rural sectors - at a local, regional and national level.
ECOTEC's regeneration team has extensive research and consultancy experience, together with a detailed knowledge of regeneration issues. Our work ranges from large-scale impact assessment and evaluation through to neighbourhood renewal research and understanding the impact of culture on regeneration. We have links with academics, local experts, specialist consultants and policy makers. By bringing together carefully selected teams we provide an individually focused response to your requirements within the context of fast-changing policy initiatives and demands.
We can deliver the full range of our services in any of our regions in this theme.
Service Portfolio: Cross Cutting Themes Research Project (Objectives 1 and 3)
This study on behalf of the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) of the Welsh Assembly Government, considered the implementation of the three cross cutting themes (equal opportunities, environmental sustainability and Information and Communications Technology (ICT)) into the Wales' 2000-2006 Objective 1 and 3 Structural Fund Programmes.
Substantial efforts were made to integrate the Themes into the Programmes and it was therefore considered important to evaluate the wider benefits of the approach taken, with a particular focus on drawing out lessons for the future. The study's objectives were to assess:
- What effect the Themes have had in achieving broader social and economic objectives;
- How well projects integrated the Themes; and
- The strengths and weaknesses of the model used to integrate the Themes.
The study used a combination of desk research, an analysis of programme management information and interviews with stakeholders and projects. It provided a report on the progress made, identified good practice and provided recommendations on improvements for future Programmes and projects. The study findings have been used to inform the application of Cross Cutting Themes in the new Wales Programmes from 2007.
angela.enlifflarsen@ecotec.com
+44 29 2036 7770
Other projects in this Portfolio
