Seminar 3: 14th December 2017
View the power point presaentation (PPT - 171kB)
The Housing and Communities Research Network ended the year on a high note by unpacking the success factors which drove Birmingham's urban renewal programme in the 1970s and 80s and considering how citizen power could be restored to housing today. Jon Stevens reviewed key learning from his edited volume ‘Residents renewing their city’ about the Community Forum which for over 20 years fed ordinary residents’ views into the uniquely devolved decisions that drove urban renewal. A panel comprising Frances Heywood, Barry Toon and John Goodman opened up the discussion with modern day actors including Priced Out, co-housing projects, homelessness support and accommodation providers, public health officials and students to tease out four key factors that could underpin a resurgence of Citizen Power: long term funding for independent resident participation in decisions, attention to unmet needs (e.g. home improvement services for older home owners), connections to local and national political agendas and most important of all a willingness to listen to and work with citizens. A great learning bridge across the generations!
David Mullins
