The participation of women in urban regeneration : a longitudinal study in Sheffield

The growing trend towards community based urban regeneration schemes has prompted a number of studies examining the participation of local residents within these initiatives. This thesis is one such study, but takes a different perspective from most others, in that it specifically examines the participation of women in urban regeneration.

The research adopts a longitudinal, qualitative approach in order to examine the level and depth of participation over a twelve month period in two neighbourhoods of Sheffield, which are in receipt of regeneration funding through the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund.

The research has three main findings. First, participation is a complex concept, which may be experienced at a number of levels (non, token, active and activist) and it changes through time. Second, local residents do not appear to be empowered through the regeneration process. Third, there are a number of barriers faced by women considering participation in their neighbourhood.

The findings are used to inform the dominant paradigm of urban governance: regime theory. Integrated regime theory is proposed as a more inclusive way of exploring the governance of urban regeneration. The research also contributes to the policy debate by confirming that there is a greater need for the participation of local residents and suggests further ways in which this can be promoted.