City centre regeneration through residential development: Contributing to sustainability

Bromley, Rosemary D.F.; Thomas, Colin J.; Tallon, Andrew

Abstract

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. © 2005 The Editors of Urban Studies.

Citation

Thomas, C. J., Bromley, R. D., & Tallon, A. (2005). City centre regeneration through residential development: Contributing to sustainability. Urban Studies, 42(13), 2407-2429. https://doi.org/10.1080/00420980500379537

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2005
• Deposit Date: Jan 22, 2010
• Journal: Urban Studies
• Print ISSN: 0042-0980
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 13
• Pages: 2407-2429
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00420980500379537
• Keywords: city centre, regeneration, residential development, sustainability
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1045885
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00420980500379537
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This article was based on research funded by City and County of Swansea, Bristol City Council, Welsh Development Agency and Swansea Housing Association for Tallon's PhD. This developed an understanding of the contribution to the sustainable communities agenda of new housing and residential development in UK city centres.