ABSTRACT

The development of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal (SEU 1998, 2000, 2001) marked a significant reorientation of urban policy in Britain in which social inclusion became a key element within urban regeneration. The benefits of a renewal strategy based on investment in physical and economic infrastructure had, it was argued, generally failed to reach deprived neighbourhoods and persistent patterns of social exclusion continued to exist alongside successful renewal projects. The recognition of the failure to address poverty and social exclusion led to a greater emphasis on social regeneration with attention focusing on community involvement, ‘joined-up’ services and partnership working (Taylor 2000).