Urban Regeneration Companies

Urban Regeneration Companies (URCs) unite public and private sector partners to deliver sustainable regeneration and stimulate investment in towns and cities.

URCs are independent companies established by the relevant Local Authority and Regional Development Agency (RDA). Their principal aim is to engage the private sector in a sustainable regeneration strategy, working within the context of a wider masterplan which takes full account of the problems and opportunities for the whole area.

Government has latterly promoted the concept of City Development Companies (CDCs), which were subsequently rebranded Economic Development Companies (EDCs) to reflect the greater emphasis on driving economic growth and regeneration beyond urban centres, based around rural, coastal or sub-region settings, focusing on areas of deprivation.

A number of URCs have now changed their status to EDC or CDC, and following the review of sub-national economic development and regeneration (SNR) in 2008, Sheffield was the first of its kind in the UK to change to CDC status, while a number of other URCs - including Liverpool, Hull, CPR, ReBlackpool and Leicester - changed their status to EDC.

Our role

The HCA has assumed the practical support and assistance role for all URCs, EDCs and CDCs previously provided by English Partnerships, and is a funding partner and board member for a number of these. 

We provide support and assistance in a number of ways, including:

  • Helping the URCs/EDCs to deliver their strategic priorities by participating in joint venture agreements, making acquisitions for development schemes, acting as a catalyst for regeneration projects and encouraging private-sector investment.
  • Working with new and emerging CDCs/EDCs to assist with their establishment and, where appropriate, providing support for master planning, running costs and research to help them deliver their strategic priorities.
  • Providing best practice support and guidance, the organisation of training, workshops and conferences, disseminating information on the urcs-online web site and undertaking of specific items of research.

 

The role played by the HCA will continue to evolve as the Agency's agenda evolves and regional priorities are determined through the business planning process. This involvement could include advising on the development of new and innovative funding arrangements, acquisitions of problematic or empty properties, and working with URCs/EDC partners to regenerate land in need of environmental improvement.  


Contact details

Adele Lewis-Ward
Senior Professional
Tel: 0300 1234 500


For media enquiries, contact Helen Stoddart in the corporate press office on 020 7881 1615.

For further information visit the Urban Regeneration Companies website at www.urcs-online.co.uk. A full list of URCs’ addresses can be found in the contacts section.

Last updated: 29 April 2010

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