Regenerating local economies: A comparative analysis of three UK coal areas.

This study addresses the problems of the regeneration of local economies using three coal areas in a comparative evaluation. It is a study that attempts to link four areas of enquiry. Firstly, it locates economic policy development within the context of contemporary debates about theories of transition and explores how declining coalfields have readjusted to restructuring. Secondly, it establishes the salience, or otherwise, of concepts used to interpret capitalist development. Thirdly, it articulates the importance of regulating bodies and institutional forms and finally, asserts the primacy of issues relating to community empowerment, participation and democracy.It finds that, despite the efforts of those charged with the responsibility of regeneration, there have been shortcomings in economic development policy directed at physical renewal, employment, training and community empowerment. In particular, policies directed at those affected by closures have been driven by short-term political expediency rather than the long term interest of localities or the economy as a whole. Each coalfield appears to have followed a similar route to decline, but it is discovered that the most significant difference can be found with respect to the institutional structures. South Wales in some respects has been best able to mobilise resources to secure renewal by way of inward investment. However, regardless of the success of regeneration initiatives in any of the sub-regions examined, the coal localities themselves have not been the main benefactors. This demonstrates the continued heightened uneven nature of the transitional, after-Fordist period of capitalist development.It concludes that a de-regulated, market-led policy approach has contributed to social and economic inequalities and cannot provide economic growth or social stability. It argues that an effective way of maintaining some control over global forces is to build policies on the foundation of local and regional participation and the development of diverse socio-institutional structures that are inclusive rather than exclusive. However, for declining coalfields renewal in any form is unlikely without a shift in macro-economic policy at national and international levels which reasserts the need for more redistributive policies.