This dissertation seeks to contextualise the debate on ‘localism’ by exploring a particular regeneration process in London. Specifically, it examines the extent of community influence in the regeneration processes of Opportunity Areas across London. The research involved an in-depth case study of the Earl’s Court and West Kensington Opportunity Area, a critical discourse analysis of the policies governing the case study, and interviews with councillors, residents and community groups. The findings from the research suggests a notable absence of emphasis on community engagement and empowerment in policies governing the case study. Interestingly, this lack of emphasis did not translate into a lack of community engagement in practice, but engagement processes were generally tokenistic and used to promote a wider neoliberal agenda of economic growth. Despite the limited community influence in the case study’s ‘prescribed spaces of engagement’, alternative sites of community resistance were successful in altering regeneration processes and outcomes, but such resistance was met with significant challenges that make its success exceptional in London. Furthermore, whilst the limits to community engagement observed in the case study are a London-wide phenomena, the status of Opportunity Areas as a tool for growth plays a role in further limiting the extent of community influence. Therefore overall, as explored through the Earl’s Court and West Kensington Opportunity Area, only to a limited extent are communities able to influence the regeneration processes of Opportunity Areas.
Lists
Lists
Loading previews...
