London Councils Housing Directors
Institute of Community Cohesion
Mixed Communities- Study
Report by:
Chris Dallison
Date:
25 May 2007
Contact Officer:
Ian McIntyre
Job title:
Item no: 2
Associate of the Institute of Community
Cohesion
Arvinda Gohil
Telephone:
Summary:
[email protected]
020 7934 9642
Email:
07884 475 362
[email protected]
The purpose of this report is to both inform London Housing Directors that
this major study is underway and to seek the active involvement of
some London Directors, and their staff, in the Phase II Case study work
This study is research based, but will result in the production, and
dissemination, of practical guidance to local authorities and practitioners
generally. It is in three inter-linked phases:



to understand and map population dynamics and movement and to
establish a typology for the spatial distribution of communities as
part of that process, which can subsequently be understood and
utilised by housing and other practitioners.
to consider the motivational determinants of that movement, why
choices are exercised and declined, and the likely future enablers
of a wider set of choices
to develop the main drivers of support for mixed communities,
including how existing mixed communities might be sustained and
the development of practical guidance.
Chris Dallison and Arvinda Gohil will be attending the meeting to give a
brief presentation and answer any questions from directors.
There will be an opportunity for more in-depth discussion and debate at the
London Councils Housing Director’s Black and Ethnic Minority Subgroup
on 13 June. Which Professor Ted Cantle from the Institute of Community
Cohesion will be attend.
Recommendations Directors are invited to:
Attend
1. The Black and Ethnic Minority Subgroup at 2.00 pm Wednesday 13
June 2007
Consider
1. The research being undertaken by the Institute of Community
Cohesion
2. Which boroughs should take part in the research.
3. What in kind resources those boroughs would be able to offer.
Institute of Community Cohesion Project: Improving
Housing And Neighbourhood Choices: Promoting
Sustainable, Cohesive and Mixed Communities.
Introduction
The nature of our neighbourhoods is changing, often as a result of several
inter-connected trends. Population movement, or ‘churn’ seems to have
accelerated in many areas – both urban and rural - and the demand for
housing can quickly change and so too, can the character of the area. This
has considerable implications for both strategic housing agencies, as well as
providers. However, it can also have profound impacts on other areas of
social policy, in respect of social capital and citizenship, community tensions
and cohesion and school, health and other service provision.
Yet, very little is known about population dynamics and change, why people
move and exercise particular choices, or fail to take advantage of them. In
addition very little evidence is currently available to strategic bodies, housing
providers and other agencies, which would enable them to quantify and
understand the extent and nature of population dynamics or “churn” at local
level. By and large they simply have to rely upon Census information,
however out of date. Further, the lack of understanding of these issues has
inevitably meant that there has been little by way of development of new
approaches and practical guidance.
The Institute of Community Cohesion (ICoCo) is currently undertaking a major
study into these issues with the intention of producing comprehensive
practical guidance for the housing industry. We are soon to move into the
second phase of our work which involves a number of case study areas
across the country. The involvement of London authorities in this work is seen
as essential
The Institute of Community Cohesion
The concept of Community Cohesion was first established in the UK at the
end of 2001, following 'disturbances' in a number of northern towns and cities.
However, the London bombings in July 2005 and the subsequent disorder in
Birmingham and other parts of the country, has demonstrated that this is a
national issue, with many different manifestations. This has also been
recognised by Government who have brought together race equality and
community cohesion strategies and is setting up a new Integration
Commission.
The Institute of Community Cohesion (established 2005) works in partnership
with the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA)
to provide capacity to address race, diversity and multiculturalism, and
focuses on building positive and harmonious community relations.
The Institute is a unique combination of academic, statutory and nongovernmental bodies, which combine experience and expertise of four
Universities - Coventry, Warwick, De Montfort and Leicester, with practitioners
from a range of diverse backgrounds and professions.
We are committed to ‘improvement from within’, to working with partners to
build on their current strengths and good practice. We therefore operate as a
‘critical friend’, constantly questioning and challenging, but also trying to find
ways of supporting partners and improving community cohesion by bringing
good practice and expertise to the recommendations we make.
Key Aims
This study – Mixed Communities - is research based, but will result in the
production, and dissemination, of practical guidance to local authorities and
practitioners generally. It is in three inter-linked phases:



to understand and map population dynamics and movement and to
establish a typology for the spatial distribution of communities as part
of that process, which can subsequently be understood and utilised by
housing and other practitioners.
to consider the motivational determinants of that movement, why
choices are exercised and declined, and the likely future enablers of a
wider set of choices
to develop the main drivers of support for mixed communities, including
how existing mixed communities might be sustained and the
development of practical guidance.
Our Approach
The methodology in respect of each of the 3 phases is set out in detailed
briefs which can be made available on request. However, each entails a
significant amount of community engagement, particularly in respect of the
second phase, which is the main focus of this report.
The whole programme is being overseen by a Steering Group, consisting of
national agencies, professional bodies and experts, (CRE, Housing
Corporation, London Councils, NHF, IdeA, RTPI, plus practitioners) who are
able to guide the process and ensure that the key policy and practical issues
are engaged.
The Phase I Research programme is underway and due for completion by
the end of April 2007. It is being led by Professor Peter Ratcliffe from the
University of Warwick. It primarily consists of a review and analysis of
published material in respect of community and population dynamics and the
final report will aim to:



Evaluate existing methodology in use;
Outline and advise on the current state of knowledge re population
“churn” and spatial patterns;
Advise on appropriate and accepted terminology for subsequent
phases.
In essence a theoretical framework will be proposed which will need to be
tested in the second phase of the Project. Such testing will then begin to
shape the practical guidance and “toolkit” outputs which the Project aims to
deliver.
The Phase I report is due to be discussed at the next Steering Group meeting
on 23rd May.
Phase II
The aims of Phase II are:

To examine the ‘push factors’ associated with negative perceptions of
an existing location. For example, do white households believe that an
inner city mixed area will become less able to meet their needs,
exacerbating their outward movement?

To examine the ‘pull factors’ which may draw a community into a new
area, for example places of worship, specific shops, large houses, etc.
for BME groups

To consider the influences of external agents, such as professional
advisers, community groups, elders and support agencies.

To disentangle the impact of economic and physical constraints from
the social and psychological influences in respect of each community,
considering how they might be subsequently influenced

To consider the extent to which communities might benefit from a
critical mass, in order to provide support and notions of identity, without
tipping over into exclusive and ‘unmixed’ areas.

To recommend policies and practices which housing strategists and
providers can employ to enable choices to be exercised on a more
level basis, in furtherance of the development of more mixed
communities.
To achieve these aims the intention is to undertake detailed work in a number
of case study areas,
“We intend to study a number of identified areas, clearly polarised by
ethnicity and/or faith and to consider the present determinants of
movement from and to those areas – and thereby to provide some
guidance on the main motivational determinants of population retention
and movement. We will be paying special attention to Bradford, one of
the UK’s most divided cities (and where we can rely upon the active
support of partners), but also make comparisons with other cities,
possibly in Scotland and Wales, as well as England”
Some discussion has already taken place on potential case study areas both
within the Steering Group and between ICoCo and interested organisations.
The original brief for Phase II identified Bradford specifically and previous
discussions have also proposed:




West Midlands incl. Birmingham; Walsall, Coventry;
West Yorkshire – incl Bradford;
London Boroughs;
Eastern England.
One of the key factors influencing choice of case study areas is the impact of
the Segregation Index – West Yorkshire is highest, West Midlands in the
middle range, London, lowest. With East of England new patterns of
settlement are a major influence.
It is also relevant to note that some funders of the project have done so on the
basis that their area will be one of the case study areas.
Other issues which have arisen from the discussions to date include:

Case study areas should not necessarily be restricted to a single local
authority area, but where relevant cross boundaries;

Whilst London is seen as an integral part of the project it needs to be
focussed on particular borough/boroughs, rather than as a whole;

Finance, resourcing and timescales will be important factors in
determining the number of case study areas;
The Phase II work will be extensive and resourcing the work is likely to prove
significant. The plan is to establish a small team from ICoCo staff and the
Academics team from Phase I who would work with staff from the case study
areas (and/or staff from SG organisations who are offering “in-kind” support).
Further discussions will be necessary with the case study areas to firm up
these arrangements.
The planned timescale for Phase II is to confirm case study areas and
working arrangements by early summer 2007, for work to be undertaken over
the following 6/9 months in order to allow Phase III – the production of
practical guidance/toolkits to be undertaken in early 2008 with publication and
launch in Spring/Summer 2008.
Issues for the London Housing Directors
The purpose of this report is to both inform London Housing Directors that this
major study is underway and to seek the active involvement of some London
Directors, and their staff, in the Phase II Case study work.
Professor Ted Cantle from ICoCo is attending the next meeting of the
Housing Directors BAME sub group on the 13 June where the study will be
discussed in more depth, with the intention of getting agreement from a
number of London Boroughs to their involvement.
Chris Dallison and Arvinda Gohil, ICoCo Associates, who are project
managing the Study will be in attendance at both meetings to provide further
information and answer questions.