Estudis en l’optimització dels mecanismes de secreció en Streptomyces:

One major constraint confronting the sustainable development and regeneration agenda is the way and manner development projects can be undertaken to maintain a reasonable balance between peoples’ economic aspirations and their sustainable development priorities (Mezher, 2011). The reality of such challenges has enabled the proliferation of many initiatives and policy frameworks in an attempt to address such challenges in a way that achieves peoples’ sustainable development priorities in a more desirable and economic manner (ODPM, 2006). Primarily, the consideration and achievement of sustainable regeneration objectives are defined through the use of such policy systems. The UK government policy framework on sustainable development, for instance, has acknowledged the importance of sustainability requirements, and in particular, the economic dimension, as an important driver for the attainment of a sustainable economic transformation of communities. Seen as a pre- requirement for the attainment of desirable economic growth and economic sustainability of individuals and communities, the policy framework identified three key drivers as (OGC, 2011; CLG, 2010; HM Treasury, 2007):

 The promotion of macro and micro economic stability which provides opportunities for people, corporate bodies, and local community organisations to attain their economic potentials.

 The promotion of economic strategies which are targeted at meeting individuals and local community growth and needs; and

 The need to ensure and promote effective economic strategies which deliver a return on investment, value for money and sustainable jobs and productivity at all levels of society.

Consequently, such economic sustainability drivers are largely considered as key components of economic regeneration and are also consistent with the sustainable regeneration principles (Giles, 2008). It is generally suggested that meeting such economic sustainability drivers forms a crucial part of achieving the economic regeneration of communities (HM Treasury, 2007). According to Roseland (2000), delivering sustainable regeneration to meet individuals’ economic sustainability aspirations implies, placing more emphasis on the economic empowerment of individuals and the society as a whole. Similarly, placing emphasis on

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promoting economic sustainability must be seen as an important aspect of economic regeneration and a long-term goal to ensure economic growth and transformation of society, particularly in developing and deprived communities (CLG, 2008; ESC, 2006; Hill and Bowel, 1997).

The potential for regeneration projects to generate economic benefits for the under-privileged in society and deprived communities has long been recognised by many contributors of regeneration discourse (White, 2009; Treasury, 2007). From a sustainable development perspective, sustainable regeneration represents the realignment of society’s economic aspirations with the processes of life (Mang and Reed, 2012). Seeking to optimise the economic productivity of regeneration projects is fundamental in the sense that issues that relate to economic sustainability have far reaching implications on individuals’ general economic survival. The literature on regeneration provides a number of concepts that support the argument that enhancing the productive aspects of societies has the potential to impact on their overall economic fortune (ODPM, 2006). It is noted that many of the sustainability benefits resulting from regeneration schemes can be translated and simplified in economic terms (HM Treasury, 2007). Notable examples are additional employment, return on investment, and inward investment opportunities as well as the value for money benefits that sustainable regeneration projects provide for practitioners and their entire stakeholders (DBIS, 2013; Akadiri et al., 2012; Häkkinen and Belloni, 2011; CLG, 2010; 2008). The promotion of employment and investment opportunities, coupled with the enhancement of skills are considered crucial benefits, regeneration projects are meant to deliver (OGC, 2011). It is generally believed that delivering such added value with a regeneration initiative will enable communities to respond favourably to economic transformation and effectively tackle issues of deprivation (HM Treasury, 2007). According to Littig and Griebler (2005: 73), focusing on the overall economic transformation of communities “needs to be taken into account; not just with regard to securing people’s incomes, but also with regard to the psycho-social functions of gainful employment”.

Accordingly, achieving economic transformations of communities largely depends on the ability of all stakeholders to facilitate the creation of employment opportunities, as well as the development of human resources to boost economic productivity for such communities (Marais and Botes, 2007; HM Treasury, 2007; Madlener, et al., 2003; Green, 2001). Promoting local community organisations and enterprises and economic growth of local

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communities also provides the opportunity to deliver economic sustainability benefits for local communities (CLG, 2008; HM Treasury, 2007; Madlener, et al., 2003). In this respect, the built environment can be recognised as the potential sector in which substantial economic regeneration activities and opportunities can be delivered (Van Bueren and de Jong, 2007). Successful delivery of economic regeneration ultimately depends on promoting employment opportunities, and attracting and retaining the required investment in communities (HM Treasury, 2007). According to HM Treasury (2007) and Hill and Bowen (1997), the promotion of economic sustainability related to sustainable construction requires that practitioners seek to promote the creation of sustainable jobs and other income generating activities for the communities and also encourages economic competitiveness by adopting and implementing practices and policies that promote the economic sustainability of individuals. The fulfilment of this fundamental set of actions and requirements CLG (2010) and Roseland (2000) believed could potentially yield regeneration benefits considered as an essential component of building an economically vibrant society. Promoting a successful delivery of economic regeneration Madlener et al, (2003) believes will also deliver further economic additionality and enhance the local market and economy.

However, one major barrier affecting the delivery of successful economic regeneration is the lack of a structured framework and common definition of economic sustainability features (Häkkinen & Belloni, 2011). Although some attempts have been made to identify the economic sustainability attributes, it can be seen that much pragmatic work still remains to be done. While the economic sustainability aspect has received considerable attention within the construction industry, it is believed that very little attention has been given to the understanding of its impacts in relation to regeneration projects. According to Mang and Reed (2012), numerous difficulties still confront the widespread adoption and implementation of the long-term economic sustainability factors of regeneration, which are applicable to local conditions. Many such challenges arise from the issues that are intended to facilitate economic regeneration and provide a wide range of economic benefits to the concerned communities (HM Treasury, 2007). According to Madlener et al, (2003), well-defined frameworks to evaluate sustainability measurable parameters throughout the life cycle project are still lacking. The absence of quantitative and qualitative empirical evidence on the economic sustainability benefits of regeneration is also identified as one of the reasons behind its poor adoption and implementation by many practitioners (Häkkinen and Belloni, 2011). It is suggested that, it is only when such challenges are given adequate consideration and made

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clear that a complete evaluation of the actual economic sustainability benefits of sustainable regeneration can fully be ascertained (ODPM, 2006). It is also suggested that economic regeneration is more likely to be successful when all the stakeholders including corporate entities and the beneficiary communities, are well engaged and committed to promoting its values (Häkkinen & Belloni, 2011). According to OGC, (2011), the realisation of successful economic regeneration objectives relies on the effective engagement of all key parties for any regeneration project to achieve its desirable goals. In business terms, economic sustainability is often regarded as a hindrance, because corporate entities depend on profit making for their survival and growth (Standing and Jackson, 2007). The perception of a higher cost of investment with lower investment returns for sustainability related issues, are often cited as major barriers for the adoption and implementation of sustainability requirements (Häkkinen and Belloni, 2011). However, for any organisation to align economic sustainability issues with its business and profit making objectives, such organisations must view sustainability as an opportunity and ‘condition of doing business rather than a constraint’ (Standing and Jackson, 2007: 168). Fortunately, there is a ‘competitive advantage’ for such corporate entities and practitioners who are genuinely embracing and pursuing the economic regeneration agenda (De Francesco and Levy, 2008: 23). White (2009) indicated that incorporating economic sustainability requirements into the business ethos and practices presents an enormous responsibility and opportunity for many organisations to continue to do successful and responsible business. Such linkages between corporate social responsibility and community development have been recognised as the main driving force behind the adoption of sustainability factors. For example, the creation of locally-based jobs is likely to economically empower a community, while meeting the organisation’s corporate social responsibility objective. Accordingly, in recognising the potential benefits of sustainability, it is suggested that incorporating the social and economic sustainability aspects into regeneration projects is more likely to yield desirable regeneration outcomes. Consequently, such an approach must be seen ‘as part of pursuing best practice’ by the built environment practitioners (De Francesco and Levy, 2008: 23). The economic sustainability factors of sustainable regeneration and literature sources areshown in Table 2.5.Also Figure 2.3 below illustrates the concept of socio-economic regeneration.

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Table 2.5: Economic sustainability factors of sustainable regeneration Economic sustainability factors of

sustainable regeneration

Literature source

Value for money DBIS, 2013; Häkkinen & Belloni, 2011; OGC, 2011; CLG, 2010; HM Treasury, 2007

Profitability for investors/developer (Return on investment)

Häkkinen & Belloni, 2011; CLG, 2010; HM Treasury, 2007; Standing and Jackson, 2007 Employment opportunities Clapham, 2014; DBIS, 2013; Akadiri et al., 2012;

Häkkinen & Belloni, 2011; OGC, 2011; CLG, 2010; 2008; HM Treasury, 2007; Marais and Botes, 2007; Littig and Griebler, 2005; Madlener, et al., 2003; Green, 2001; Hill and Bowen, 1997 Local/area economic growth Clapham, 2014; CLG, 2008; HM Treasury, 2007;

ESC, 2006; Madlener, et al., 2003; Hill and Bowen, 1997

Local community

enterprises/organisations

Clapham, 2014; OGC, 2011; CLG, 2010; HM Treasury, 2007 Madlener, et al., 2003

Figure 2.3: The concept of socio-economic regeneration.