Partnership and Community Involvement: Institutional Morphing in Dundee

Abstract

In recent years, the policy agenda for urban regeneration in Scotland has focused on social justice and inclusion, reflecting the priorities of the New Labour government and the Scottish Parliament. In addition, there is now a national ‘community planning’ agenda in Scotland, aimed at improving service delivery by enhancing partnership between all relevant agencies, including local communities. This article examines how the regeneration partnership in Dundee - the ‘Dundee Partnership’ - has ‘morphed’ or evolved, in terms of institutional capacity, to respond to this changing context, as well as changing expectations in terms of community involvement. Firstly, critical concepts are set out; secondly, the evolution of the Dundee Partnership is considered; thirdly, the changing nature of community involvement within regeneration is highlighted; and finally, broad conclusions are proposed.