The Special Regeneration Areas for the Living City Initiative were designated by the Minister for Finance following consultation with the relevant city councils and an independent review by a third party adviser. Specific criteria were set down in respect of the areas which should be included within the remit of the Living City Initiative which were required to be taken into account by the relevant city council in putting forward the proposed Special Regeneration Area for each city.
In particular, it was stated that the Special Regeneration Areas should be inner city areas which are largely comprised of dwellings built before 1915, where there is above average unemployment and which demonstrate clear evidence of neglect, dereliction and under-use. It was specified that areas which are generally regarded as affluent, which have high occupancy rates and which do not require regeneration should not be included in the Special Regeneration Areas. The Living City Initiative is a very targeted urban regeneration incentive. The criteria to be met for the inclusion of an area in the scheme are more stringent than simply being in one of the relevant cities, and being constructed pre 1915.
It is important to note that I do not see this as a wide-spread Initiative, as it is targeted at those areas which are most in need of attention. However, it is a newly launched scheme, and it will be kept under review.
