Regeneration

Regeneration Officer, Community Development Worker, Planning & Policy Development Officer

The Sector
Regeneration involves the physical, economic and social rehabilitation of an area and relies on the skills of different professions, such as economic planners, environmentalists, community developers, landscapers, engineers and architects. Projects can focus on a number of issues, including improvements to urban or rural environments, housing, education and transport, economic development and social cohesion.

Although regeneration programmes are usually funded by the public sector, they are formulated and implemented by a wide range of organisations. Voluntary and community organisations also play a vital role and community led regeneration is increasingly recognised as the most sustainable.

Sector Profile
There are tens of thousands of people involved in regeneration, with recent growth due to the Government’s focus on regeneration issues.

Issues and Trends
For a number of years, regeneration has been a Government priority. However policy tends to alter with changes in governments, society and the way we live. In this way, regeneration is a constantly changing occupation, so work is varied.

The Government is taking a hands-on approach, increasing the importance of community involvement and forming regional development agencies and urban regeneration companies. The EU also takes an active role in regeneration issues and has funded a number of UK regeneration projects.

There are international opportunities through overseas work with UK based consultancies, aid organisations or local agencies. This could involve enabling clean water supplies in developing countries, or dealing with issues similar to those in the UK in places such as Eastern Europe, USA or Australia.

Return to Sector Profiles