Unlocking the Potential: The Role of Universities in Pursuing Regeneration and Promoting Sustainable Communities

The election of New Labour in 1997 gave fresh impetus to the regeneration and community engagement agendas, and these are clearly central pillars in the Government's drive for sustainable communities. As major institutions in many towns and cities, universities can potentially play a major role in the development of our urban areas and make a significant contribution to the creation of sustainable communities. This paper examines the contribution of universities to urban regeneration and to local communities in England. Whilst there have been numerous case studies assessing the impact of specific universities on local and regional economies and wider research on the impact of universities on the national economy, there has generally been little attention given to their contribution to wider regeneration aims. Rather than adopting a case study approach, the research has focused on a nationwide survey generating quantitative and qualitative data to assess how universities perceive their role within this wider context, the extent to which they have become involved in such initiatives and possible barriers to such involvement. The research indicates that whilst many universities in England have been involved in regeneration and community initiatives, there is potential for more substantial and influential involvement, which could have significant benefits for the country's deprived areas and communities.