TAYWATCH - ISSN 1364-7016

TAYWATCH
THE TAY REGION RESEARCH OBSERVATORY

GEDDES CENTRE FOR PLANNING RESEARCH
SCHOOL OF TOWN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE

RESEARCH NEWS - July 1999

GEDDES RESEARCH SEMINARS
The second Geddes Research Seminar in Town and Regional Planning was presented by Dr John White of the Department of Social Inquiry, Victoria University of Technology, Melbourne. He explored conservation theory and practice in Australia which draws on anthropology, archaeology, history and planning and reflects powerful cultural values relating to traditional Aboriginal practice and the post modern built environment. This approach is now beginning to influence planning practice in the UK. The Geddes Seminar confirmed the importance of international comparative studies in defining contemporary planning practice in Scotland and the UK.

A CONSERVATION PLAN FOR THE HISTORIC WET DOCK AREAS OF DUNDEE PORT
In September 1996, Forth Ports who had acquired the Port of Dundee in 1995 lodged an application to develop the area surrounding Victoria and Camperdown docks. A mixed package of leisure, retail, residential and hotel uses was proposed. The two wet docks and a number of the ancillary buildings are listed at category A. In addition; Victoria Dock is home to the Frigate Unicorn, one of the world’s most important historic ships. Dundee Council and Historic Scotland wished to be informed by an independent conservation plan. Conservation plans are documents which explain the significance of a place, identify the ways in which it may be vulnerable and set out policies aimed at retaining significance in the event of new use or alteration. The Tayside Building Preservation Trust, an integral part of the Centre for Conservation and Urban Studies in Town and Regional Planning, University of Dundee was asked to prepare the conservation plan. The plan’s format broadly follows the template suggested by the Heritage Lottery Fund in their advisory booklet ’Conservation Plans for Historic Places’ (1998). The plan suggests adopting a broad philosophical base in which the previous use and associations should remain evident, and the educational potential of the site realised. A level of significance has been attached to each element of the site, and a plan of action split into categories of urgent, necessary and desirable works has been formulated. The plan has resulted in a clearer understanding of the site; the policies for retaining significance have been endorsed by the various stakeholders, and already have proved influential in shaping Forth Port’s approach to a number of their proposed developments.
N Grieve

RESEARCH NEWS - March 1999

Town and Regional Planning recently initiated the Geddes Research Seminar Series to address key strategic planning agendas and debates which bring together theory and practice in town and regional planning, environmental management and social inclusion. The first seminar was held on March 11, 1999. Dr Mark Tewdwr-Jones (University of Aberdeen) presented a paper 'Competing through planning: inward investment, inter- regional rivalry and the planning system'. The presentation addressed the issues associated with strategic planning for inward investment. Concern has been mounting recently over the increasing intensity of competition among British regions for Foreign Direct Investment. This competition has been at its fiercest in the case of a number of recent very large inward investment projects with public concern focusing on wasteful bidding up of total incentive packages. The government has been alerted to the 'unfair playing field' across the UK in terms of the financial capital grants made to overseas companies to locate to certain regions of the UK - particularly Wales - and have responded by developing initiatives intended to enhance the English regions. However, little attention has been focused to date on the other factors utilised by successful regions in the inter-regional rivalry for scarce inward investment. The presentation considered ways in which collaboration has taken place between agencies of governance in the packaging, bidding and promotion of regions and, secondly, the methods by which land use planning process (and thereby democratic forms of local decision making) have been subordinated in the interests of regional economic development. It led to a lively discussion about the implications for Scottish inward investment.

RESEARCH NEWS - November 1998

The Joint Centre for Scottish Housing Research (JCSHR) has recently secured two prestigious housing research contracts. These are:-

1 European Observatory on Homelessness

Building on its established reputation in housing and social policy, the Directors of the JCSHR have been appointed as research co-ordinators for this EC funded research observatory. This involves directing the work of researchers in each of the 15 member states and will involve publication of three books on innovative services for homeless people; supported housing; and women and homelessness.

2 CORE - continuous recording database on registered social landlords in England

The Housing Corporation have awarded this important national research award to JCSHR. The work involves collection and analysis of data from over 700 registered social landlords in England. The analysis will cover; general needs housing, supported accommodation and low cost house ownership initiatives.

These contracts build upon the continuing research programme undertaken in Scotland for a range of housing agencies.

More information on these studies may be obtained from Bill Edgar, Director JCSHR, 01382 345238.