In January Rob Sugden a KTP Associate with Kingston University and Renaisi Ltd undertook a two week research trip to the USA to learn more about how regeneration is approached in the USA. As the UK regeneration sector continues to adapt to the fall out of the recession and to define a role for itself in David Cameron’s Big Society it was important to look abroad for lessons and inspiration. No more so than to the USA who have a long history of community organising, empowering residents and creating and utilising innovative funding models.
With this in mind Rob visited a wealth of organisations in Chicago, Washington and New York that include Community and Economic Development Corporations, Skills and Training Providers, Government Bodies, Academic Institutions, Housing Associations and Grassroots organisations to better understand how the Big Society could look in practice and the roles communities and organisations like Renaisi and Kingston University could play within it. Rob posted regular updates throughout his trip at the Renaisi Blog and on twitter at http://twitter.com/Renaisi
More details on the organisations Robert visited are included in this map and he would welcome and questions or contributions from Kingston or the wider regeneration community at r.sugden@renaisi.com
Rob joined Renaisi in 2009 as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Renaisi and Kingston University. The purpose of his project has been to develop new products and services for the organisation and to assist with internal improvements. The KTP programme aims to help UK businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base.
