Urban Regeneration Companies (URCs)
An Urban Regeneration Company, or URC, is a formal partnership of key representatives from the public and private sector who operate at arms length to deliver physical and economic regeneration in specific areas.
They offer a strategic overview of an area which guides investment decisions by both the public and private sector towards an agreed set of objectives and outcomes.
Involving stakeholders and engaging and communicating effectively with residents and local businesses is an essential element of a successful URC.
Early evaluation of the URC programme in England shows strong evidence that the confidence of the private sector to invest in an area has increased and the programmes themselves are making significant progress in delivering their objectives. This is attributed to the perception of a well-managed area, a commitment from key decision takers to work together and publicly funded early actions to set favourable conditions for growth.
The Government currently supports six Pathfinder URCs in Scotland :
CLYDEBANK RE-BUILT
Since the closure of the shipyards, the perception of Clydebank has been of a town facing a grim future with low economic activity rates, high unemployment and poor training prospects for residents.
Clydebank re-built has developed an ambitious long term vision for regeneration until 2010 which sets out a detailed working programme to rejuvenate nearly 170 acres with the focal point being the town's Titan Crane, including the town centre, Carless and Queens Quay.
PARC CRAIGMILLAR
Craigmillar is the most deprived area of Edinburgh and the URC will create a 15 year long term approach to the regeneration of Craigmillar.
The ultimate aim is to double the existing population by attracting financial and commercial investment. This will create 1,500 new jobs, 3,600 new homes, new roads as well as environmental improvements such as new parks and play areas to help improve the quality of life for residents.
RAPLOCH URBAN REGENERATION COMPANY Ltd
Raploch is an area with high unemployment, low quality community and educational facilities, poor housing and low economic activity. The proposal for a seven year regeneration programme has been developed in conjunction with local people.
It aims to boost the population by 2000 with the creation of a community and educational campus, new jobs, housing and environmental improvements such as new roads, a riverside walkway and a village square to provide a focal point for the area.
RIVERSIDE INVERCLYDE
Inverclyde is a former area of major industrial activity and has a post-industrial economy based around previous heavy engineering and manufacturing activities. The past two decades of industrial and population decline have left Inverclyde underperforming economically, with high levels of unemployment, poor quality social housing and a degraded environment. The URC's plans focus on the regeneration of the waterfront area between Greenock and Port Glasgow over the next 10 years, including the remediation of vacant and derelict land, new business, education and learning facilities, the creation of new employment opportunities along with new housing and revitalising Greenock and Port Glasgow town centres.
IRVINE BAY URBAN REGENERATION COMPANY
Irvine Bay reflects the dual legacy of traditional industry and the New Town era. The area faces complex and deep-seated challenges. Physically, the lack of a major urban centre, urban sprawl and a lack of critical mass have led to declining economic performance and status. The area also suffers from a declining population and low employment. The URC's plans are at early stages, but will focus on the regeneration of the Irvine Bay area over the next 10 - 15 years, covering the arc of towns from Irvine through Kilwinning, Stevenston, Saltcoats to Ardrossan and includes the Ardeer Peninsula. The main aims of the regeneration proposals are to link the physical regeneration of Irvine Bay with proposals to revitalise the local economy and to connect local people with new employment initiatives, including new retail and leisure facilities, new housing and business spaces and town centre regeneration.
CLYDE GATEWAY
The Clyde Gateway project has been developed by Scottish Enterprise, Glasgow City Council and South Lanarkshire Council to exploit the economic development potential of the proposed M74 northern extension and the East End Regeneration Route. The 25 year plan includes developments in the East End of Glasgow and adjacent areas of South Lanarkshire and including key sities within the commonwealth games 2014 plans.