ABSTRACT
This chapter draws on a number of competing perspectives to develop an understanding of what has taken place in partnership ventures such as Holly Street. It looks at the problematic aspects of partnership arrangements and assesses the political ramifications if such strategies remain paramount in attempts to revitalise large inner-city council estates. The chapter explains the historical background to housing partnerships, followed by an evaluation of some academic interpretations of contemporary initiatives. It explores the conflicts of partnership ventures by drawing from a specific example. Partnership initiatives between the public and private sectors is not new. Therefore, whilst authorities like Hackney and the Greater London Council employed their own ‘in house’ direct-labour force they also relied upon private sector contractors to build nearly all of the new developments. Private sector involvement was limited, usually to the role of contractor, for the large building programmes initiated by local authorities.
