Valuing Community Empowerment in an Urban Regeneration Context as an alternative pathway to health gains: a Discrete Choice Experiment

Introduction: Increasingly regarded as Population Health Interventions, Urban regeneration programmes address social inequalities, and seek to improve residents' quality of life and health. Within such programmes, the role of... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction:
Increasingly regarded as Population Health Interventions, Urban regeneration programmes address social inequalities, and seek to improve residents' quality of life and health. Within such programmes, the role of the community has become increasingly recognised, with policy-makers emphasising the need for activities that foster Community Empowerment and involve communities in programmes’ delivery. It is envisaged that will lead to future health gains, with more empowered communities reporting better wellbeing.

Aim:
Identify and value features of Community Empowerment in an urban regeneration context to inform future policy.

Methods:
Literature review conducted to identify key features of Community Empowerment within urban regeneration programmes. Analyses of cross-sectional data (n=1772) was carried out as part of the Glasgow GoWell neighbourhoods regeneration study to test the causal relationship between Community Empowerment and self-reported health. A UK representative population survey (n=302) Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) was then conducted to elicit preferences for features of CE and willingness to give up time for Community Empowerment activities.

Results:
Regression analysis of the GoWell data highlighted significant associations between Community Empowerment and improved mental wellbeing. The DCE mixed logit model analyses demonstrated that respondents strongest preferences are shown for the delivery of Community Empowerment activities which require less time commitment, offer opportunities to participate, fully explain decision-making processes, increase social interactions with their neighbours, have help and support from stakeholders and, keep them informed of the regeneration programme. Respondents’ strongest preferences were for delivery of Community Empowerment activities that increase sense of belonging and feeling informed about the regeneration programme. For these activities, participants indicated they were willing to give up over 13 hours/month.

Conclusion:
The author is able to provide robust valuations for each Community Empowerment feature in order to inform future cost-effective investment in Community Empowerment activities as part of the delivery of urban regeneration programmes.