This Lesson Links to two parts of the specification   This Lesson Links to two parts of the specification The characteristics and impacts of external forces operating at different scales from local to global, including either government policies or the decisions of multinational corporations or the impacts of international or global institutions How external agencies, including government, corporate bodies and community or local groups make attempts to influence or create specific place-meanings and thereby shape the actions and behaviours of individuals, groups, businesses and institutions

How did Urban Development Corporations work? They were set up in the 1980’s and 1990’s to take responsibility for the physical, social and economic regeneration of selected inner city areas with large amounts of vacant/derelict land. They were given planning powers over and above the local authority and were encouraged to spend public money on the purchase of land, the buiulding of infrastructure and on marketing to attract private investment. The intention was that private investment was 4-5 times greater than the public money initially invested. In 1981, the first 2 UDC’s were set up: the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) and a Merseyside UDC. 11 others followed including Birmingham Heartlands, Cardiff Bay, Sheffield, Trafford Park and Teeside. By 1993, UDC’s accounted for 40% of all urban regeneration expenditure. Over £12 billion had been attracted from the private sector, alongside £4 billion from the public sector. They had built or refurbished 35 000 housing units and created 190 000 jobs.

Has the rebranding of Cardiff Bay been a Soaring success or heading towards a Slum future? The Cardiff Bay Development Corporation was set up in April 1987 to regenerate the 1,100 hectares of old derelict docklands of Cardiff and Penarth. It was part of the British Government's 'Urban Development Programme' to regenerate particularly deprived and run-down areas of British inner cities.

Cardiff Bay: History

To put Cardiff on the International map as a superlative maritime city which will stand comparison with any such city in the world, thereby enhancing the image and economic well-being of Cardiff and Wales as a whole.

WHY DID CARDIFF NEED AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION? The global demand for coal decreased and the docks declined. This decline left large areas with no major use. Unemployment became a problem and those who could afford to left the area. Ethnic minorities migrated inwards. Tiger Bay and Butetown became places of multiple deprivation. Crime rates increased and there was physical deterioration of the area.

The CBDC was established in 1987 and wound up in 2000 The CBDC was established in 1987 and wound up in 2000. Over the period of its activity it was responsible for the spending of £2.4bn. The Corporation had an annual budget of £40m from central government on condition that a further £160m was attracted from other sources.

Was it Successful? The regeneration has put Cardiff ‘on the map’ and attracts over 2 million tourists per year 17,000 jobs created The area has become more accessible to the rest of the city via the Lloyd George Avenue Over 5000 new homes created The area has continued to attract new investment in recent years such as the new BBC studios, International Sports Village, Dr Who museum

Is it all positive? Cardiff Bay's redevelopment symbolised growth and success. However, fears are mounting that the area has been overdeveloped. It contains hundreds of empty flats proving very difficult to sell or rent and with over 9,000 more apartments on the way across the city, that situation could get worse. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/7435649.stm

Issues The majority of houses / apartments built in the Penarth Harbour area are far too expensive for the local residents to afford Over £400 million of public money used Many of the business that have opened in Cardiff Bay have merely moved from other parts of the city therefore having a negative impact on the areas they have left Many people argue that the jobs created are the ‘wrong sort’ i.e. in the service sector not manufacturing Social projects to help the residents of ‘Tiger Bay’ only accounted for 2% of the total spending. Many local residents resent the redevelopment and feel socially excluded from the area in terms of the cost and types of facilities provided There is much controversy over the barrage and the fresh water lake (you can read up about that)

Has the rebranding of Cardiff Bay been a Soaring success or heading towards a Slum future? (10) How have external agencies, including government, corporate bodies and community or local groups make attempts to influence or create specific place-meanings in Cardiff Bay?