is regeneration top down or bottom up?

This posting was left as a comment to a previous post by someone who has his own equivalent site in Somerset. I set it out here for comment:

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I've often wondered how much genuine regeneration is achieved by regeneration initiatives costing millions of pounds. Of course, it depends on what one means by 'regeneration'.

To me, regeneration is primarily an economic issue as in raising the hourly wage level in a rural area above, say, the minimum wage. To others, it is all about having posher Town Hall offices (a thorny issue in my home area of West Somerset where my regeneration blog is set). Or providing grants to Business Link Consultants so they can build web sites costing thousands of pounds. I suppose the money gets into the community but wonder about the lasting value.

For me, true regeneration is a community matter and much can be achieved by improving communication amongst the people of an area and building stronger communities.

An interesting side result of our new farmers market in Minehead, West Somerset is the small groups of people who now regularly gather ad hoc to debate local issues. Is it just empty debate? Or could it actually produce better local decisions? The farmers market has enabled a local focus point where people are happy to meet and interact. How about an arts market, a speakers corner ... Cost? Very little.

Growing small businesses is often the primary means to regenerate an area. Anybody with a small business knows how much they need people to help. There are just so many jobs to be done, many caused by legislation. But how often do we see a regeneration policy that is really directed towards the growth and prosperity of small businesses? Or even a survey to identify what they want?

When our elected representatives are sitting in their hot seats and have their hands on several million pounds to spend, I can underestand they may reach for the safest option and buy a posh new large building. But, I firmly believe that more can be achieved by investing at least some of the money in the people.

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