Joining it up locally? Area regeneration and holistic government in England

The problems of deprived neighbourhoods have been a concern for government for over 30 years. A plethora of approaches has been adopted: from central-local government partnerships (Urban Programme); to 'top down', market led solutions (Urban Development Corporations, Enterprise Zones); to the competitive 'challenge funding' (City Challenge, Single Regeneration Budget) approach. This article charts how governments have sought to address the multi-faceted challenge of area regeneration in England through management innovations during the 1990s, from the Conservative's challenge funding initiative to New Labour's emerging agenda for holistic or 'joined up' government at central and local levels