Community involvement in urban renewal
Gilmore asked how local communities would participate in redesigning designated areas and raised concern that wealthier newcomers could displace existing residents. The Minister said local authorities and representatives shaped the boundaries and that local involvement should continue.
Has the Minister any plans for the establishment of structures or mechanisms which would involve the communities in the areas designated for urban renewal to enable them to become involved in the redesign and renewal of their areas? I should like to ensure that local communities are not squeezed out of those areas to make way for new — perhaps wealthier — people buying up property in the area.
Comment on this
I do not think that will happen because the lines are drawn by the local authorities and the local representatives have a very keen interest in the matter. Inevitably they want a bigger area than it is possible to incorporate in that designated area but we must keep the principle of regenerating derelict areas in existing cities and towns in mind. There has been good co-operation in this regard and I should like local representative involvement to be maintained in the whole question of renewal.