Search Results

Home / Search Results

What about the community? An investigation into how the housing needs of the Jewish community are incorporated into urban renewal.

Author(s): Willis, Ben

Date: 2005

Topics: Jewish Neighbourhoods, Cities and Suburbs, Haredi / Strictly Orthodox Jews, Housing, Strategic Planning, Main Topic: Other

Abstract: Within New Labour Policy, faith community involvement within urban renewal has firmly been placed on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s policy agenda. Nationally, faith community awareness is significantly increasing but what is a more important consideration is how this policy is developed to the micro-level. With specific interest in housing needs this policy arena has created the core context for this research. Primary methodologies have been adopted to investigate the specific housing needs of the ultra-orthodox Jewish community within their micro-enclave of Gateshead. A particular focus will be on those projects, which aim to reduce the specific overcrowding issue within this community, which at 40% is the highest Borough-wide. Sub-regional and private sector involvement has been key to the success of current renewal programmes alongside successful mechanisms of Jewish participation. Key issues arising are the lack of intra-agency knowledge flows, the lack of proposed further projects partnerships and the increasing ‘parallel lives’ syndrome. The research discusses recommendations for future policy adaptation including the appointment of a Gateshead Council Community Liaison Officer in conjunction with a Gateshead Council Jewish Community strategy would begin to alleviate participation and planning issues. In conjunction with this there is a significant need for Jewish-led renewal and this should be addressed by the establishment of a Jewish Housing Corporation.