Memorandum by the Institute for Environmental
Policy, School of Public Policy, University College London (UWP
91)
PROPOSED URBAN WHITE PAPER
The Institute for Environmental Policy welcomes the
Rogers Report, which it believes provides an excellent foundation
for the proposed White Paper.
As a research institute within UCL's School
of Public Policy, we have been most interested in the Task Force's
recommendation on the use of research and the formation of skills,
contained in Part Two, section 6, Investing in Skills and Innovation.
The Institute is aware of a considerable volume
of research which is potentially relevant to urban regeneration,
including the work done under Research Councils' programmes. In
particular there is the Sustainable Cities Programme of the Engineering
and Physical Research Council (EPSRC) and the Natural Environment
Research Council's Thematic Programme on urban regeneration, URGENT.
There seems, however, to be a considerable problem
in translating the output from this work into usable knowledge
to support the different actors in urban regeneration. In particular
the work done under Research Council programmes has not been well
disseminated for the benefit of the user community.
The Institute recognises that the urban renaissance
will require new skills within the professions involved, in particular
the skills of integrating knowledge from different domains. A
case in point is the need for planners to see their work more
in its social context.
However new skills will also be needed by other
stakeholders, particularly those within the different parts of
the public, who will participate increasingly in decisions on
urban renewal. It will be greatly to the benefit of the process
if all stakeholders are well informed, aware of the "bigger
picture" and are well versed in the skills of active engagement.
Some preliminary work done by the School of Public Policy in the
area is described in the Annex to this submission.
The Institute therefore particularly welcomes
the proposal to establish joint working between professional institutions,
education providers and employers and urges the Committee to press
for a plan of action. It is recognised that this will mean challenge
for the bodies involved, in particular in respect of improving
the skills within the broader public. The Institute is thoroughly
persuaded, however, that there is a real need for a long term,
strategic, approach to the problem of improving the quality of
the debate and of empowering wider participation in it.
The Institute therefore also commends to the
Committee the idea that the body charged with the plan of action
might also consider how the great body of research on urban regeneration
and sustainability can be incorporated more effectively into policy
and action.
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