Housing-Led Regeneration Research Group
The University Birmingham Housing-Led Regeneration Research Group is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding in the field of housing-led regeneration. Our mission is to conduct comprehensive research on various aspects of regeneration processes, including bidding processes, engagement and consultation strategies, large-scale demolition practices, planning loopholes such as viability arguments, and legal challenges.
We emerged from a group focussed on the Ladywood regeneration area in Birmingham, UK. The regeneration will affect around 2,000 homes, businesses, and places of worship. Mass compulsory purchase and demolition are expected and little to no resident consultation has been undertaken. There are complex social, economic, environmental, and legal aspects of these plans, which research can help to inform.
As a multidisciplinary and mixed methods research group, we strive to bring together diverse expertise and perspectives to address the complex challenges facing urban regeneration efforts. We are dedicated to fostering collaboration and dialogue among researchers from various disciplines, including but not limited to urban planning, anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics, law, and architecture.
Our group aims to generate actionable insights and evidence-based recommendations to inform policy-making, planning decisions, advocacy, community engagement initiatives, and grassroots community organising related to housing-led regeneration in Birmingham. We are committed to promoting transparency, inclusivity, and ethical conduct in our research practices, and we actively seek to engage with stakeholders at all levels, including government agencies, community organisations, residents, and industry partners.
By facilitating rigorous research, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building activities, we aim to contribute to the creation of vibrant, sustainable, and equitable communities in Birmingham and beyond. Our ultimate goals are to create a platform for experimenting with participatory and action research on regeneration and housing and to support efforts to revitalise neighbourhoods, improve housing equality, and enhance the wellbeing and quality of life for all residents affected by regeneration initiatives.
Read Dr Di Nunzio’s commentary on the regeneration here and a blog post summarising the activity to date here.