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Townscape Heritage Initiatives evaluation: Methodology for assessing the effectiveness of Heritage Lottery Fund projects in the United Kingdom

Shipley, Robert; Reeve, Alan; Walker, Stephen; Grover, Philip; Goodey, Brian

Authors

Robert Shipley

Alan Reeve

Stephen Walker

Philip Grover

Brian Goodey



Abstract

As a result of various social and economic factors, many historic townscapes in the United Kingdom and elsewhere have declined over the last half century. There have been many attempts throughout the world to revitalise such urban heritage areas, but the actual effectiveness of few of these schemes has been systematically evaluated. Good public policy choices would greatly benefit from such evaluation. The UK's Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) decided in 1999 that their Townscape Heritage Initiatives would be an exception. A research team from Oxford Brookes University was engaged to undertake a ten-year study of the £52 million being spent in about sixty British towns and cities. A sample of about one third of projects receiving HLF support are being scrutinised. The evaluation methodology is outlined, along with explanations of some challenges faced in such a large programme. The four mechanisms for gathering research data are explained, the origin and rationale for the sixteen indicators being employed are described, and the approach to overall evaluation outlined. Finally there is an overview of the baseline stage of the work, highlighting key issues from a research perspective, and briefly reflecting on findings to date. © 2004 a Pion publication printed in Great Britain.

Citation

Shipley, R., Reeve, A., Walker, S., Grover, P., & Goodey, B. (2004). Townscape Heritage Initiatives evaluation: Methodology for assessing the effectiveness of Heritage Lottery Fund projects in the United Kingdom. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 22(4), 523-542. https://doi.org/10.1068/c34m

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Aug 1, 2004
Journal Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy
Print ISSN 0263-774X
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Volume 22
Issue 4
Pages 523-542
DOI https://doi.org/10.1068/c34m
Keywords townscape, heritage, Heritage Lottery Fund, UK
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1065846
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1068/c34m

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