Id		136
Author		Evans, G., ; Shaw , P.,
Title		The contribution of culture to regeneration in the UK: a review of evidence
Reference		Evans, G., Shaw, P. (2004) The contribution of culture to regeneration in the UK: a review of evidence ‑ A report to the Department for Culture Media and Sport. London: Department for Culture Media and Sport.
Keywords		Culture; Regeneration; Impact
Link to article		http://www.scholars-on-bilbao.info/fichas/EvansShaw2004.pdf
Abstract		This review was commissioned by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) to inform the preparation of a policy document on the contribution of cultural activity to regeneration It has been written primarily as a briefing for DCMS officials. Carried out over the summer 2003, responses and coverage of published and ‘in press’ information may not be as full as a longer research period would have allowed, however the review has been extensive within the culture and regeneration sphere. New reports and publications are emerging almost daily, in part due to the raised interest in and awareness of the subject, and these should be continually reviewed as policy formulation and implementation is undertaken. In addition to setting out its own objectives for culture and regeneration, DCMS is working to increase awareness within other Government departments of the potential contribution of cultural activity to their regeneration programmes. The indicators of regeneration most commonly referred to in this paper are those already widely used by Government in the context of neighbourhood renewal, social inclusion and community cohesion: reduced levels of crime, increased health and well-being, increased educational attainment, reduced unemployment, greater community cohesion, greater environmental quality and quality of life (or liveability).
Metodology		The report has therefore been to undertake a review of published evidence and in particular to assess the value and validity of this evidence. This has been achieved within the time available, through a literature search via online and bibliographic sources, and a call to all English Regional Government Offices (RGOs) and cultural officers for reports and impact studies on the study theme. Some RGOs also contacted those responsible for arts and culture (e.g. festivals, heritage, cultural tourism) in their region, which produced some useful information and studies in progress. Evidence and case study material has been analysed by the main impact area and type - economic, environmental/physical and social; by the methodology used; and by the main art form/cultural activity concerned. Publications were divided between those which had a ‘scientific’ research base or methodology - whether empirical, using quantitative and/or qualitative surveys - and those which were illustrative and largely descriptive case studies. A small number of case studies have been selected as illustrations which provide evidence and good practice in culture’s engagement with the regeneration process. These include examples across a range of cultural activities, locations and arising impacts. The robustness of the research evidence and findings has been assessed in terms of both the author’s approach and conclusions, and the degree of peer review and strength of evidence. The latter includes the timescale and sample size of an impact study, as well as how far the study and conclusions might be transferable or generalisable in the context of other evidence in the field. Positive and negative evidence and critiques have been considered. The extent to which research and case study material indicates an example of good practice in the design and delivery of cultural projects and in impact evaluation and measurement, has been assessed on a case by case basis. Overall, where particular trends in evaluation and outcomes are evident, these have been used to make suggestions as to which of these are the most important in ensuring successful culture-led regeneration projects. They have not however undertaken any primary research or site visits, and our analysis is based entirely on the evidence available.
DOI
Search Database		Snowball
Technique		Document analysis

ARTICLE