Estate regeneration: a literature review

This literature review examines estate regeneration in England, with a particular focus on London. It explores why regeneration occurs, its impacts on housing and communities, and what different stakeholders consider good practice.

The review identifies two competing perspectives: an official discourse that presents regeneration as a way to improve housing, increase supply and deliver social and economic benefits, and a critical discourse arguing that many regeneration schemes facilitate privatisation, gentrification, and displacement.

The review traces how policies and attitudes towards council housing and regeneration have evolved since the 1970s, highlighting the influence of wider political and economic changes.

The evidence suggests that regeneration often increases overall housing numbers but can reduce the number of genuinely affordable council homes.

The reviewed literature portrays estate regeneration as highly contested and suggests that meaningful resident involvement, stronger protections, and greater investment in refurbishment are essential to achieve good estate regeneration.