The impact of environmental improvements on town centre regeneration

Using an extensive series of questionnaire surveys targeting traders, residents and shoppers, supported by interviews with key informants, the paper explores the effects of environmental improvements on town centre regeneration in South Wales. Evidence reveals that environmental improvements create short-term problems with a time lag before benefits are felt; that they can accentuate and create spatial inequality with divisions between the improved and unimproved areas; and that environmental improvements are only a first step towards change. The improvements encourage private investment and it is the investment in new and improved attractions that is the critical second step towards town centre regeneration. Public investment in environmental improvements is undoubtedly worthwhile if there is a reasonable expectation of private investment.