City Centre Regeneration through Residential Development: Contributing to Sustainability

• Published in: Urban studies (Edinburgh, Scotland) Vol. 42; no. 13; pp. 2407 - 2429
• Main Authors: Bromley, Rosemary D. F., Talion, Andrew R., Thomas, Colin J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Routledge Journal, Taylor & Francis Ltd 01.12.2005; SAGE Publications; Longman Group; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Age; Bgi / Prodig; Bristol; Cities; Downtowns; Elderly; England; Environmental policy; Europe; Housing; Housing developments; Human geography; Inner city; Policy analysis; Renewable energy; Residence; Residents; Social Class; Sustainability; Sustainable cities; Sustainable communities; Sustainable development; Sustainable economic development; Sustainable economies; Swansea; The British Isles; United Kingdom; Urban Development; Urban economics; Urban planning; Urban renewal; Urban studies; Wales; United Kingdom; Bristol; England and Wales; England; United Kingdom > UK; Bristol England; Swansea Wales; Wales; British Isles; British Isles, England, Avon, Bristol; Attendance; Socio-economic system; Urban regeneration; Urban development; Urban policy; Urban construction; Inner city; Housing; Sustainable development; Urban migration
• ISSN: 0042-0980; 1360-063X
• DOI: 10.1080/00420980500379537

Following a discussion of recent policies for the city centre in Britain, the paper explores the contribution of residential development to aspects of sustainability, drawing on a range of survey evidence in Bristol and Swansea. The residents are frequent shoppers, helping to sustain the local daytime economy. Sustainability goals are also supported because large proportions of residents walk to city centre attractions, and many also to their places of work, showing reduced reliance on the private car. Support for the expanding nighttime economy reflects the age, gender and social class composition of the resident population, with different attractions receiving different levels of support from different social groups, but with younger adults as the mainstay. Sustainability in the city centre context appears best served by a majority of young adult residents, ameliorated by a sizeable proportion of older adults, and an absence of households with children. Grandiose government sustainability aims of creating the truly balanced community which includes many children, should be modified in this local context.