Administering regeneration in Wales: Policy and practice in a systems view

Abstract

As a public service in the UK, area-based regeneration is a multi-objective and multidisciplined approach aimed at developing more equal places. Complexity is a delivery challenge. There are problems with strategic coherence, public value and transparency. Mainstream public services are however improving their understanding of public strategy through embracing complexity. In Wales, with fifty years of experience of regeneration in the field, re-viewing delivery complexity is worthy of similar attention. In this study, an understanding of complexity and the management of local area regeneration re-thinks public service regeneration as a single system. A first orientation in Wales of regeneration in terms associated with a systems approach to managing change, usefulness to regeneration administration would be the eventual test. A new £100 million regeneration framework for Wales, Viable and Vibrant Places, provides the setting for operational action research, where policy and practice was examined in a systemic inquiry, over an extended period. With the EU referendum result offering new possibilities, Well-being legislation in Wales in early operation and some form of area-led regeneration reform in prospect, re-viewing regeneration in a single system was found to offer real-time and predictive administrative benefits to local area change: in understanding complexity, in the development of more purposeful, adaptable and transparent strategy, in the evaluation of attribution and sustainable regeneration integration. The aggregate qualities that make up excellence in delivery in regeneration policy and practice; ethical conduct, necessary knowledge and progressive measures, are appreciated in an arête model structure designed to be able to support improved regeneration conversations and delivery possibilities. Through systemic co-operation and collaboration regeneration leadership in Wales can, in a new era of change, advance citizen involvement and actor professionalism in the field, through new standards, and a plan that starts with imaginative action in conference and other proceedings.