Urban regeneration and mental health

Abstract

The urban regeneration initiative may have had little impact because it failed to address the concerns of local residents and failed to remove restricted opportunities, which appeared to be the key factor. A longer follow-up period may be required to demonstrate an effect.

The impact of mental illness on quality of life: A comparison of severe mental illness, common mental disorder and healthy population samples

“…Although the low response rate (17%) might have affected the generalisability of results, it is likely that the results are representative [23,24] because the resulting sample closely matched demographically the population from which it was derived [27], life circumstances were representative of those reported for similar deprived areas [28] and subjective QOL ratings were in accordance with those of national, representative household samples [29] when age and deprivation were accounted for; follow-up rates were also reasonable in healthy population (52%) and CMD (46%) groups. The data presented here are restricted to community dwelling adults aged 18-65.…”

“…This study involved secondary analysis of data derived from two studies -a community survey examining the QOL and mental health outcomes of urban regeneration [23,24] and Manchester site data from the UK700 randomised control trial of case management [25]. Objective life-conditions, life-opportunities and subjective QOL were assessed at two time-points, using the same methods in the three mental health-status groups.…”

“…Valid comparisons were possible as the original studies were conducted in similarly deprived, adjoining areas of South Manchester (mean deprivation scores for electoral wards in the survey area = 63.5; mean for the trial area = 56.7) [26], and data were collected over the same period of time (baseline and 2-year follow-up). The methodologies for the base studies are detailed elsewhere [23][24][25].…”

Urban regeneration as a public health intervention

“…This study found that the urban regeneration initiatives may have had little impact on mental health because it failed to address the concerns of local residents, and failed to remove restricted opportunities, a variable closely related to mental health (Huxley et al, 2004). E c o n o m i c i m p a c t s a n d u r b a n r e g e n e r a t i o n Closely associated with mental and physical health are economic issues which have various health implications for urban regeneration projects.…”

“…Psychosocial changes associated with these improvements were found to: reduce anxiety and depression, improve self-esteem, reduce fear of crime and create a greater perceived "friendliness" of the area (Curtis et al, 2002). However, a longitudinal study of an urban regeneration project in South Manchester, England found no improvement over time in mental health for those in the area undergoing urban regeneration (Huxley et al, 2004).…”