Impact of regeneration on Poverty in East Manchester
Introduction
The United Kingdom has engaged in various regeneration practices in different regions one of which is East Manchester. The practice aims to regenerate the region starting from the administrative boundary in Manchester to the fringe of the city center. With boosts from social activities as was the case with the commonwealth games and initiative from organizations, the government and well-wishers, the regeneration is likely to have a significant impact in reducing poverty in the region of East Manchester.
Background
The growth and development of East Manchester was promoted by the industrial revolution that occurred in the region in the 19th and 20th century[1]. Coal, steel and textile industries created a lot of employment and attracted a lot off wealthy investors, not to mention the boost that the industries had on the economy. The region however suffered recession in the 1980s which resulted in a 60 percent decline of the economy and this greatly affected the employment sector[2]. Loss of employment further complicated the issue as people did not have enough money to spend on commodities and this negatively impacted the housing sector. In an attempt to resolve the issues brought about by recession, the government sought to invest in different parts of the world with emphasis on policies aimed at improving the industrial sector. The move was meant to create a better environment for the private sector and create jobs so as to increase people's income. The move was however unsuccessful as the economy continued to decline and the job situation worsened, attributing to the poverty experienced in some regions.
Problem statement
East Manchester is characterized by some of the socio economic conditions and challenges experienced in most inner cities not only in the United Kingdom, but also in different parts of the world. Other than a poor economy and decline in job opportunities, the region also suffers from high levels of poverty that have greatly slowed down development and growth in Manchester. The housing market for instance is yet to fully recover from the collapse that occurred in the 1990s[3]. This has created a sort of imbalance in the supply and demand for property forcing owners to cut down housing prices which does little to reduce the poverty level in the region.
Even with the low levels of employment, the demand for skilled employees to meet the requirements of working in the high value service sector has made it difficult for people to secure good jobs. Unlike in the past where semi-skilled workers could find work in the manufacturing industry, the shift from traditional manufacturing to the ones that exist today has made high skills and experience a necessity and this has locked out a lot of citizens from getting good jobs[4]. As a result, the crime rates have drastically gone up with cases of burglary and juvenile related crimes being rampant in East Manchester.
Poverty and unemployment have made residents overly dependent on grants and assistance from the government which puts even more strain on the economy. About 52 percent of the households in Manchester rely on state benefits and the situation is likely to worsen especially because about 20 percent of unemployed people are not looking for work and survive solely on the assist they get from the government[5]. Although the challenges are not limited to East Manchester, the region has significance in that it also has various opportunities that could greatly assist in overcoming them.
Another example is the opportunities created by the common wealth games. A lot of capital was invested to help build world class sports facilities to host various sporting events in the region. If well managed, the sporting events could attract millions of visitors to Manchester and in so doing, create employment as well as creating a positive image for the region of Manchester[6]. The relevant authority should therefore focus on promoting sports in the region to encourage other countries or different parts of the United Kingdom to participate and utilize the sports facilities. Another opportunity that could be exploited is the government's commitment towards boosting economic growth by improving the state of cities in Manchester[7]. Since the government has identified the role that cities play in boosting the economy through trade, housing and other activities that boost the economy, East Manchester can greatly benefit from government policies structured to improve the state of the major cities in the United Kingdom.
Regeneration of East Manchester
The regeneration framework could have huge implications in improving the economy and social environment as well as reducing poverty in the region. The regeneration will focus on resolving issues that contribute to the housing problems, create more employment opportunities, improve the quality of education and resolve environmental issues that make it difficult for residents to rise above the poverty line[8]. Resolving such issues will not only make the regeneration framework sustainable, it will also open up Manchester to new opportunities that will greatly reduce poverty. The aim is to make East Manchester a place where people seek to live and work in as well as invest in businesses, housing development other projects that people refrain from engaging in due to the regions current state.
A thriving economy will be crucial to the success of the regeneration projects as its sustainability hinges on the wealth and profits made from transactions such as trade and housing. Creation of employment is therefore a priority if the regeneration is to be successful as people will need enough capital to engage in trade and positively impact the economy[9]. Since East Manchester is large enough to accommodate new businesses and attract potential customers, the regeneration should focus on attracting business owners to the region so that they can set up businesses that will not only attract investors, but also create employment opportunities for residents of Manchester[10]. Emphasis should however be placed on attracting businesses with the most potential for growth so as to create sustainable development and increase the chance of the positive changes made being permanent.
The regeneration framework should also strive to ensure that the locals directly benefit from the opportunities created through the major investments made with different organizations and businesses. They should therefore be trained and equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to work and contribute to the development projects and employment opportunities created with the aim of boosting the economy[11]. Having a skilled labor force will not only result in the creation of demand for products and services, it will also ensure that there is enough demand for goods manufactured and in so doing, boost the economy and reduce poverty in the process.
Emphasis will also be placed towards reducing people's tendency to relocate to different regions in search of better opportunities. Creation of new jobs and improving neighborhoods in East Manchester will attract more residents seeking an environment with sustainable growth and offers opportunities for personal development[12]. Residents will be less likely to relocate especially when there are enough job opportunities, a stable economy and a conducive environment. Encouraging people to stay and invest in East Manchester will further enhance the sustainability of the regeneration project and thus ensure that poverty levels continue to go down.
Successful regeneration programs
East Manchester has engaged in various regeneration practices, some of which have already been completed while others are still being implemented. One example is the completion of sport city complex which was completed in 2003[13]. The regeneration involved converting the city of Manchester stadium to a football field for the Manchester City football team. The stadium has created a lot of jobs and drawn people to the city of Manchester especially for the social activities and entertainment opportunities around and within the stadium[14]. Another positive regeneration project was the construction of the Asda Walmart store which has attracted various investors and shoppers to the area, not to mention the creation of more jobs for residents of Manchester.
Other than attracting businesses and new residents to Manchester, the regeneration projects have also sought to add convenience when moving around the city. The Ashton Canal Corridor for instance has made it safer and more convenient for pedestrians to move from the city to the sport city stadium. The route has also led to the construction of various buildings, some of which are business premises as companies seek to sell their products and take advantage of the heavy foot traffic along the canal[15]. There is also the Metro link LRT system that stretches across Manchester that helps people to move around with greater convenience. It has also led to the development of new businesses and increased the number of available jobs and thus increased the number of people who visit Manchester.
Regeneration has also helped to reduce the crime rate in Manchester as well as improving people's perception of safety within East Manchester. Damage related to crime and burglary has reduced by 35 percent and this has resulted to a 51 percent reduction of residents who consider East Manchester unsafe[16]. With the positive impact that low crime rates have had on attracting new residents to Manchester, there has been various developments aimed at ensuring that those who choose to stay at Manchester enjoy the best amenities to sustain their livelihood. Education systems have been improved to encourage residents to enroll in schools and achieve better academic performance[17]. Regeneration has also resulted in better access to medical care with more emphasis being placed on child care. With better access to medical care and improved education systems, residents are optimistic and determined to create a better future for their families. Teenage pregnancies for instance have reduced and more people are rising above the poverty line due to the opportunities available to them.
The regeneration program seeks to not only bring positive change but also ensure that the new projects are well designed, are sustainable and have relevance to the city of Manchester and its residents. To begin with, the regeneration aims to double the population of East Manchester in a period of between 10 to 15 years so as to increase the demand for products and services that will be made available within Manchester after regeneration[18]. In order to cater for the needs of the growing population, the regeneration will also lead the construction of about 12,500 new homes and also improve and modernize those already present in the region[19]. The new homes will not only create a place for the growing population to live in, it will also boost the housing sector as more people will be in the market for new homes and business premises.
Other than attracting people to the region, the regeneration will also focus on creating more space for businesses. The regeneration will therefore help min the development of a new business park that will give room for existing businesses to expand as well as encourage new ones to develop. The business park will be of great help as it will create a central place where people go for business and leisure and this will greatly improve the social life in Manchester. It will also reduce unemployment through the new jobs that will be made available from business expansion and also the new businesses that are established. The regeneration will further improve on infrastructure such as roads and railway systems to improve transport ad offer convenience for residents and businesses. Good roads and railway systems will make it easier for businesses to transport raw materials for manufacturing products and also when making them available to customers[20]. Reduced congestion on roads will make it easier for residents of Manchester to go about their business and therefore find it easier to access shops and other business premises to make purchase. Improved infrastructure will greatly promote trade and therefore help in reducing poverty in the region.
Future regeneration projects
Although the regeneration of East Manchester has had significant impact in improving the state of the region, there is need for more efforts to restore Manchester into a thriving community. This is especially because the long duration of time that the region was in a state of economic decline brought about serious consequences that will take time to resolve[21]. The regeneration of East Manchester will therefore require commitment and support from the government and relevant authority as this is the only way to ensure that the projects implemented and those suggested have a permanent impact and enhance the sustainability of the positive changes brought about by the regeneration programs.
The regeneration should include residents of Manchester as they are the ones affected, and also the ones to benefit from the changes introduced. They have great insight on what goes on in the region as well as what can be improved to create a better environment[22]. Including them in the development of neighborhood regeneration plans will therefore help increase their participation in the regeneration as well as enhance the sustainability of the changes after implementation. Another area to focus on is the housing market through improving of old property as well as the construction of new ones[23]. Better infrastructure will help to improve living conditions within East Manchester. It will also attract new residents seeking to secure good homes in the stable environment that the regeneration seeks to create. More residents will promote the housing market as people seek new places to set up residence or start businesses[24]. The increase in population and boost in businesses will further improve the state of the economy and in so doing, reduce the poverty level in East Manchester.
Conclusion
East Manchester could greatly benefit from regeneration especially if it invests in making the programs sustainable as well as relevant to the needs of Manchester residents. At present, the current state of East Manchester has greatly contributed to the various obstacles that exist in the region, one of which is poverty. With the poor state of the housing market, there is little investments in improving the neighbourhoods sine there is little interest in houses in the region. Most people prefer to relocate to other regions that are more promising and they take all the talent and creative ideas that could be used to improve East Manchester.
The poor state of the economy further complicates things as there is little capital to fund the projects needed for the regeneration. However, since regeneration is a continuous process, the policies used could focus on improving areas that will help boost the economy and attract more people to East Manchester. Creating safer neighbourhoods for instance will help make people feel more comfortable to not only move in but start businesses in the region. The businesses will create more job opportunities and this will greatly help to reduce poverty as citizen will have a reliable source of income. More income will increase customers’ spending power and in so doing, help boost the economy though the various business transactions that are likely to occur. By tackling the challenges one at a time, the regeneration will help create an environment where sustainability is controlled by the systems that exit in society such as trade, the housing market and a working population rather than relying on regeneration programs.
References
BLAKELEY, G., & EVANS, B. (2013). Regeneration of East Manchester: a political analysis.
MCGREGOR, A. (2003). Developing people - regenerating place: achieving greater integration for local area regeneration. Bristol, Policy Press.
Paxton F, (2016) “The Manchester miracle: How did a city in decline become a poster child for urban regeneration?” City Metric
SMITH, M. K. (2007). Tourism, culture and regeneration. Wallingford, UK, CABI Pub
[1] Blakeley, G and Evans, B (2013). The Regeneration of East Manchester: A Political Analysis. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
[2] ibid
[3] Paxton F, (2016) “The Manchester miracle: How did a city in decline become aposter child for urban regeneration?” City Metric
[4] ibid
[5] SMITH, M. K. (2007). Tourism, culture and regeneration. Wallingford, UK, CABI Pub
[6] Paxton F, (2016) “The Manchester miracle: How did a city in decline become a poster child for urban regeneration?” City Metric
[7] SMITH, M. K. (2007). Tourism, culture and regeneration. Wallingford, UK, CABI Pub
[8] BLAKELEY, G., & EVANS, B. (2013). Regeneration of East Manchester: a political analysis.
[9] ibid
[10] Paxton F, (2016) “The Manchester miracle: How did a city in decline become a poster child for urban regeneration?” City Metric
[11] MCGREGOR, A. (2003). Developing people - regenerating place: achieving greater integration for local area regeneration. Bristol, Policy Press.
[12] ibid
[13] SMITH, M. K. (2007). Tourism, culture and regeneration. Wallingford, UK, CABI Pub
[14] MCGREGOR, A. (2003). Developing people - regenerating place: achieving greater integration for local area regeneration. Bristol, Policy Press.
[15] SMITH, M. K. (2007). Tourism, culture and regeneration. Wallingford, UK, CABI Pub
[16] Paxton F, (2016) “The Manchester miracle: How did a city in decline become a poster child for urban regeneration?” City Metric
[17] ibid
[18] Paxton F, (2016) “The Manchester miracle: How did a city in decline become a poster child for urban regeneration?” City Metric
[19] ibid
[20] Paxton F, (2016) “The Manchester miracle: How did a city in decline become a poster child for urban regeneration?” City Metric
[21] BLAKELEY, G., & EVANS, B. (2013). Regeneration of East Manchester: a political analysis.
[22] ibid
[23] BLAKELEY, G., & EVANS, B. (2013). Regeneration of East Manchester: a political analysis.
[24] MCGREGOR, A. (2003). Developing people - regenerating place: achieving greater integration for local area regeneration. Bristol, Policy Press.
