Urban Regeneration: A Must

City is equivalent to our body. The inter-dependence of various land uses is similar to the organs in our body. The functioning of our body depends on how organs work and function effectively. A person needs to undergo a heart bypass for removing the blockage or else he is in danger of heart attack. Similarly, a city will remain stand still or even deprecated if incompatibility of land uses and urban sprawl happened. Aging cities just like human beings need revitalization or commonly known as overhaul or major service or else the dilapidated situation will discourage new investment and pushing away the aboriginal residents. A mature society in most of the developed city is also in need of new facilities to cater for the emerging needs of the dwellers. For instance, universal design or barrier free infrastructure for the senior citizens and people with disabilities becomes an essential part of the city. Advancing of technologies has also forced the city managers to look into equipping the management with new tools. For example, using GPS gestures to pin point exact location of facilities required urgent maintenance or even to monitor the complaints so that service quality is enhanced. Globalization has also demanded the city to reshape for capturing new business opportunities. Cities around the globe are competing for scarce resources and cities offering the best deal conducive for businesses, living and of course, social and economic returns will get better attention. Even the new Y and X generation with higher expectation and aspiration, of course more expose to the global work is asking regeneration of the city, that is closer to their taste and heart. It is insufficient of providing green space in the physical space that can fulfill their needs and wants, but rather the cyber space as well. All these are pushing city to pursue urban regeneration or revitalization or renewal or even redevelopment, partly or in total.

Planning is a dynamic process; hence, it is inevitable and unstoppable for a city to experience regeneration. Having said this, to grab the positive and greater impacts of the opportunities arise, a planned, participatory and inclusive process of development is required. All stakeholders have to be involved for making the old city, especially the inner part to function again, effectively and efficiently. For greater impact, stakeholders’ constructive involvement is required, and for that to happen their participation should be facilitated, conveniently, thoroughly and with ease.

Doing so, we need leadership and wills from all levels of governance, a shared vision and sense of belongings by all, appropriate mechanism, competent capacity, facilitating legislation, inculcation of trust as well as confident and provision of incentives are pre-requisite. Top of the list, to me is the stakeholders’ participation. And stakeholders, we are talking about those having a stake there for longer time. Developers, those who will bring in investment, develop and continually improving the area, rather than those having the intention of selling off everything without even want to claim their stakes should also be consulted. Market force is essential for urban regeneration, but it is not the only thing for consideration.

Urban regeneration is not a choice, but unavoidable. The readiness and willingness will determine how far and fast a city can go, in the world map instead of the regional or local level. Loving your city is also meant act responsibly and letting your city growth healthily and that include revitalization.