Governance and Social Capital in Urban Regeneration: A Comparison between Bristol and Naples

In several countries, urban regeneration programmes have become associated with wider policy changes to the governance and social improvement of local communities. These developments have become central to policy implementation in the UK where regeneration planning attempts to use 'social capit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urban studies (Edinburgh, Scotland) Scotland), 2006-04, Vol.43 (4), p.767-786
Main Authors: Bull, Anna Cento, Jones, Bryn
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brisbane Queensland Australia
Civil society
Collaboration
Communities
Comparative analysis
Comparative studies
Conflict
Councils
Democracy
Disadvantaged
Governance
Governance, Participation and Citizenship
Government
Local government
Naples Italy
Power Structure
Social capital
Social Closure
Urban areas
Urban governance
Urban renewal
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Summary:In several countries, urban regeneration programmes have become associated with wider policy changes to the governance and social improvement of local communities. These developments have become central to policy implementation in the UK where regeneration planning attempts to use 'social capital' from local networks and associations in new systems of governance connecting central government agencies, local councils and local voluntary and community groups. This article reports on comparative research aimed at assessing whether the new approaches significantly influence democracy and transparency and, correspondingly, responsiveness to power relations and conflicts, and the needs and interests of the previously excluded and often disadvantaged groups. The analysis derives from a contrast between Bristol, a propitious case for the new governance in the UK, and the Italian city of Naples. Similar and problematic developments are identified in both cases despite the pursuit of a radically different 'dirigiste' strategy by the Naples council. The findings suggest that more autonomous local government and greater civil society participation may still be needed to meet local expectations.
ISSN:0042-0980
1360-063X
DOI:10.1080/00420980600597558