Strategies for area targeting and regeneration are developed to address specific site or small area LED issues. While most LED initiatives can be targeted at specific locations, area targeting examines a specific area within a municipality to address a specific area-based problem such as a redundant factory, a declining shopping area, a slum and so on. They may also be targeted at opportunity areas such as a central business district. Although many LED initiatives are aimed at ensuring that the entire city becomes more competitive, there are normally areas that need special attention for one reason or another. An example could be a run-down town center, abandoned factory complexes, a redundant port complex or similar. For these situations, special measures are called for. Possible projects include: Town center enhancement schemes
These can include a wide range of initiatives including developing a business partnership, marketing the town center, undertaking surveys, upgrading the physical environment, targeting investment and so on. A vital and vibrant town center is the heart of an area’s ability to be competitive. Encouraging investment into growth nodes
One strategy to encourage growth is to identify specific areas within a city where certain types of businesses will be encouraged to locate. A growth node may then act as the center for planned growth and employment. However, this should not be created from nothing but rather built upon an existing agglomeration of firms showing high potential. Encouraging investment into corridors
These are similar to nodes, but here growth is encouraged to expand from an area of promising economic activity out towards a more challenging area. By encouraging incremental investment, the aim is to develop an active growth corridor linking richer and poorer areas, reducing social and economic exclusion. Informal markets
Areas where informal economy activities agglomerate are also areas life for regeneration. In addition to ensuring adequate health safety standards, these projects also support the poor. The implementation of effective regeneration programs and the tackling of socially and economically disadvantaged groups represent two of the major challenges facing contemporary policy makers. Regeneration strategies go some way to meet these challenges. They use all the tools available, but because an area is in need of regeneration, specific, community-focused and often highly targeted policy responses are usually needed. Regeneration strategies are likely to be the most challenging, the most expensive, take the longest time and be the most necessary activity a local authority is likely to undertake. Possible projects include: Retraining of redundant workers
Redundancy is a serious problem in most communities undergoing structural readjustment. The likely target populations will be older men who have clearly defined skills sets. The challenge is to ensure that skills training is given on a demand-led basis. This is hard, and there are no easy solutions especially as there is likely to be high unemployment in the community at large. Job search and employment outreach
One of the most difficult areas is for redundant workers to find a new job. This is often because they do not know basic job search skills (such as where to find opportunities). Job search programs can be very effective and can involve everything from confidence building, resume writing, interview skills to matching the unemployed with potential employers. Entrepreneurship training and SME support programs:
The city’s mainstream programs could be adapted to meet the specific needs of this target group and area. Local delivery of services could also be helpful. Community confidence building:
This can include many measures such as promoting local success stories, encouraging the community to develop its own newsletter, and developing arts and crafts initiatives. Case Studies Vietnam, Haiphong -- (This is an example of area targeting, encouraging local business growth, investment in hard infrastructure and soft infrastructure Warwick Junction, Durban, South Africa -- (This is an example of area regeneration for the benefit of the poor). |
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