A Comparative View of Neighborhood Regeneration Programs in Nine Countries

Abstract

Using four dimensions for comparison—contextual variables, program characteristics, implementation characteristics, and outputs and outcomes—the author offers a comparative analysis of the experiences of nine countries on both sides of the Atlantic in their efforts to regenerate declining neighborhoods. The findings show considerable differences in the neighborhoods' origin (public or private), location vis-à-vis the urban center, national project scale, level of institutionalization, and degree of comprehensiveness. A surprising finding is the rarity of national programs for comprehensive regeneration. The article concludes with an analysis of the impediments to cross-national transfer of knowledge about neighborhood programs.