The London Development Agency and Local Regeneration Issues: an Overview of Urban Regeneration Management

Abstract

The London Development Agency (LDA) was established in July 2000 as part of the new Greater London Authority (GLA). It has a remit to work in partnership with local authorities, businesses, voluntary groups, regeneration partnerships and training institutions. This paper is a broad overview of selected issues related to regeneration management in London. The opening section provides a brief policy context leading to the formation of the LDA and its strategic agenda. Secondly, we argue for a local role in regeneration management. Third, we examine the creation of the LDA, its approach and offer a tentative assessment of the democratic principles leading to its formation and the content of its strategy. Fourth, we sketch local regeneration dynamics from three localities, before concluding with possible outcomes as the new institutional structure takes effect and also offer some suggestions on the linking up and democratization of local and regional processes.