Neoliberalism and Urban Regeneration: London’s Communities Finding a Voice and Fighting Back

London is a major global city which attracts a massive influx of capital while concentrating power and wealth in the hands of the few. Meanwhile, many communities suffer housing shortages, poverty and dispossession. How can its diverse communities fight back against exclusionary regeneration projects?

This accessible book tells the story of the Voice4Deptford campaign in Southeast London, which has taken radical democratic and creative action to resist the destructive influence of neoliberalism at the community level. It shows how top-down change is challenged and, together with case studies from across London, offers powerful ways forward for other urban communities globally.

Roger Green is Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Urban and Community Research at Goldsmiths, University of London and Vice-Chair of the Voice4Deptford Campaign. An urban sociologist and community activist, he has worked alongside urban communities in London, the UK, Europe and globally promoting community voices and action. An advocate of ’communities know best’ supporting co-production and participatory action research methodologies.

Keith Popple is a researcher, author and Emeritus Professor of Social Work at London South Bank University. He has contributed widely to the areas of social work, community development and social policy. He is editor and contributor to several books including as author of Analysing Community Work: Theory and Practice (Open University Press).