ABSTRACT
The central argument explored in this book is that there remain significant gaps in UK regeneration practice and understanding. These ‘absences’ indicate, we suggest, that there are important implications for policy makers, regeneration practitioners and those involved in research and evaluation. At one level the absences can be explained by the sheer complexity of the regeneration process itself. It is self-evident that not all needs or expectations can be realized within a relatively short time frame which is the common model of regeneration initiatives, and it can also be claimed that in raising local people’s expectations more will be lost than gained. Furthermore, the UK regeneration model has been shaped, until relatively recently, by short-termism and ‘quick fixes’.
