City status and regeneration

     

     

       
    ~ "The modern economy is likely to go on growing, though probably in new directions(...). The process of modernisation, even as it exploits and torments us, brings our imaginations and energies to life, drives us to grasp and confront the world that modernisation makes, and strive to make it our own. I believe that we and those that come after us will go on fighting to make ourselves at home in this world, even as the homes we have made, the modern street, the modern spirit, go on melting into air" | Marshall Berman (All That Is Solid Melts Into Air).


    ~ "I've always been interested in these geographical processes whereby capital is creating landscapes, sometimes knocking down landscapes and building new landscapes (...) | I look at this not simply at the nation state level, but at the area of, say, a mayor of a city like Baltimore. Deindustrialization is going on. Capital is moving out. So what does the mayor do in charge of this territory? "Okay, that's okay"? Or do they say, "We have to find new ways to bring new capital in"? | The territorial logic is about trying to maintain the health and well-being of a particular space in the face of this capillary movement of capital moving left, right, and center, and everywhere. | If the steel industry is collapsing and the shipbuilding is collapsing, what does somebody who is in charge of the territorial logic do? You say, "Well, maybe it's convention centers and the convention business. Maybe it's museums. Maybe it's tourism, or something of that kind (...)." | David Harvey.

     

     

    Newport's City status 2002


    The winning of City status in 2002 was a silver lining to Newport and Monmouthshire's dark cloud of industrial decline, the latest dramatic episode in Newport's rise to the Faustian challenge of modernity. 

    Newport's assumption of city status in 2002 was a moment of triumph after successive attempts for the prized title. Nor was this a matter of hollow pomp and ceremony for the news provided an immediate positive impulse for the future prospects of the city-region, in a twelvemonth dominated by a final decline of traditional industries with the Corus steel closures and the end of an era with the Llanwern steelworks closure (as well as neighbouring Ebbw Vale). This twelvemonth proved a double triumph year for Newport, as the Newport Celtic Resort won the competition to host the 2010 Ryder Cup (see also here). 

    Henceforth all eyes were firmly fixed upon the agenda of future economic development and city centre regeneration, with the assumption of a new corporate economic development strategy and the re-branding of Newport as a go-ahead, entrepreneurial city working towards the 2010 horizon when Newport's hosting of the Ryder Cup will occupy a global stage. 

     

     

    Competing for City status


      

     

    City status in the United Kingdom has been a matter more of magic than science, lying within the gift of the Monarch to bestow upon a select group of communities. In recent years in particular city status has been an eagerly sought distinction, a talisman for future fortunes as cities and regions compete with one another for profile and investment in the new global economy.

    The UK government explains, "Grant of City Status":

    • "Who awards city status? City status is an honour granted by Her Majesty the Queen under the Royal Prerogative, acting on the advice of Ministers.

    • "City status is a rare mark of distinction granted by the Sovereign and conferred by Letters Patent. It is granted by personal Command of the Queen, on the advice of Her Ministers" (- Department of Constitutional Affairs).
    • "Additional Functions/Powers Conferred by City Status:The grant of city status is purely honorific; it confers no additional powers or functions on the town.
    • "Criteria:City status is not, and never has been, a right which can be claimed by a town fulfilling certain conditions. The use of specific criteria could lead to a town claiming city status as of right, which in turn might devalue the honour. All applications are considered on their individual merits". 
    • "Following the Golden Jubillee city status competition, there are now 66 cities in the UK - 50 in England, 5 in Wales, 6 in Scotland and 5 in Northern Ireland". ( See Department for Constitutional Affairs here).

    City status grants have been used to mark special royal and other occasions, for example Swansea was granted city status in 1969 to mark the investiture of Charles, Duke of Cornwall as Prince of Wales. In the recent period formal competitions have been instituted for city status: commencing in 1992, to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Queen's reign; for millennium year 2000; and for 2002 celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. ( For background on city status in the UK see Department for Constitutional Affairs here and wikipedia here)

    Newport had petitioned for city status in 1994 (see here), threw its weight into the 2000 Millennium competition, and then went all out for the 2002 competition which included a separate competition for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland following criticism of the Millenium Cities competition. 

    Newport's final triumph for city status in the competition for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in March 2002 was a portent of changing fortunes, as noted by BBC News:

    • The accolade which comes at the third time of asking after two unsuccessful bids in the 1990s is mainly prestigious, but civic leaders in Newport hope it will help boost the economy. | "Newport had claims that were just undeniable," said Newport East AM John Griffiths, adding civic leaders will have new strengths in being able to market the town as a city. | The town has suffered a series of major factory closures and redundancies, including last year's decision by Corus to close part of the giant Llanwern steelworks.

     

     

    "Joy and Pride in new City" declared Newport East MP Paul Flynn's web-page, from which the above photo of the Newport city banner hanging in the civic centre is taken, "All Newportonians will relish the sound of these beautiful words:- "The City of Newport, Dinas Casnewydd"".

     

     

     

     

     

    The responsibilty of the new City towards a better future for its citizens lay uppermost in mind, as the MP continues:

    • "Sir Harry Jones, Leader of the Council: "It is a great honour to be awarded city status and we are delighted at the news. For over a decade, Newport has consistently put forward the case to be awarded city status and we are grateful that the Queen has chosen to honour Newport in this way. | "The real work begins now. We have always maintained that the benefits of city status should be felt across the whole of our region and indeed the whole of Wales. This is particularly important a year after the Corus job losses were announced presenting a devastating blow to south east Wales. I firmly believe that city status and the profile that it will give will help us to positively combat the impact of the losses that we have suffered". 


    Likewise the Secretary of State for Wales, and MP for Torfaen, Paul Murphy, provided a sobering perspective upon the challenges of industrial decline and post-industrial adaptation and strategy for Newport and Monmouthsire:

    • "Newport has all the qualities needed for a modern city, the Secretary of State for Wales, Paul Murphy, said today (Thursday, 14 March). | He was commenting following the announcement that Her Majesty The Queen has accepted the Lord Chancellor's advice that Newport should be the successful Welsh applicant for city status, to mark the Golden Jubilee. | "The past 12 months have been truly traumatic for Newport and its people," said Mr Murphy. "First there was the agony of widespread steel job losses as Corus closed the heavy end at Llanwern; then there was the joy that the town's Celtic Resort had won the competition to host the 2010 Ryder Cup. | "This news today I know will be welcomed throughout the town. Standing at the gateway to South Wales, Newport has been an important centre of commerce and administration since at least Roman times. | "Following the Industrial Revolution, its docks made a major contribution to the economic development of the region, while the Chartists gave Newport a unique place in the development of Parliamentary democracy, both here and throughout the world. | "Today Newport is a progressive town which does not simply bask in past glory. It is a community that looks to the future through a thriving and adaptable industrial and commercial base. | "Without wishing to underplay the effects of the recent re-structuring of the steel industry, Newport is better placed to deal with this human tragedy than would have been the case if its people and their leaders had a less flexible outlook". ( - see Welsh Office press release here ).



    Regeneration and Renaissance

     

    In the five years since the assumption of city status Newport has set to its task of economic development, and dramatic changes are now becoming visible as the city engages its most significant phase of transformation since the post-45 (1960s) period.     

    The Newport City Council engaged a new Newport Economic Development Strategy 2003-2008 which was formulated in 2001 in the immediate aftermath of steel closures ( - replacing the 1997-2002 Strategy; and it is of note that Newport was the first public authority in Wales to produce a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy in 1987, thence subject to a five-year review cycle).

    Newport Unlimited was established in 2003, as Wales's first regeneration company, to spearhead the regeneration of  the city of Newport:

    Following the above observations, we may  further note that Newport's recent post-industrial "Renaissance" provided the keynote theme for Jessica Morden, MP for Newport, East - the Llanwern steelworks constituency - in her maiden speech to Parliament in June 2005. Reflecting upon Newport's entrepreneurial response to the steel closures, and with particular reference to Newport Unlimited ( "Wales's first regeneration company"), the Newport MP justifies the Renaissance theme:

    •  "When, in 2001, Corus announced the end of steel making and serious job losses at the Llanwern steelworks, many thought that the town would be devastated. Newport, East has fought back, though, because of the enduring quality of its greatest asset—the people of Newport, East, who have always shown their ability to bounce back from setbacks and difficulties, adapting and responding to changes in industry and society. | Four years is a very long time in politics and so much has changed. My constituency is now enjoying a renaissance. The word "renaissance" is easy to use; nearly every local government strategy document proclaims a local renaissance, and it might seem overly grandiose, suggesting a perfect image of 15th century Italy—a combination of economic and cultural revival—but in Newport's case, it is true. There is certainly an economic renaissance. Despite losing part of its core industries, the city is proving that it can re-establish itself as a centre of modern industry and commerce. New industry in the high-tech and financial services sector is being attracted to the constituency (...) |Thanks to Labour teamwork in Westminster, the Assembly and on the excellent Newport council, the city is home to Wales's first regeneration company—Newport Unlimited, which is redeveloping the city centre with £30 million for jobs and development". ( - see House of Commons Hansard Debates, 7 Jun 2005 (pt 13), here ).

     

    Newport Unlimited was established in 2003, as Wales's first regeneration company, to spearhead the regeneration of  the city of Newport:

    • "Newport Unlimited is the Urban Regeneration Company for Newport, the newest city in Wales. | Regeneration projects will improve the landscape, create new jobs, attract investment and ensure a vibrant city for the future. | The vision is clear – make the city a hub for South East Wales, a place to live, work, rest and play". ( - see here)
    • "Newport has many sites ripe for development, extensive broadband capability, a strong cultural identity, leisure and entertainment opportunities, high quality environments, a University that has embarked on a high growth strategy and the city will also host the Ryder Cup in 2010". ( - see here )

     

     

     

    Newport City Footbridge and regeneration strategy 

     

    This photo of the model for the Newport city centre regeneration scheme was taken at the Riverfront Arts Centre, Newport in May 2006, where it was on display as part of a public consultation by the property development company Modus.  At the time the Newport City Footbridge, featured prominently in this model, was still under construction.

     

     

     

     

    A  Western Mail feature for 31 December 2005 looked forward to the prospect that "2006 is going to be a critical year for the city", "when activity starts and the city begins to resonate to the reassuring sound of development":

    • "By 2010, we'll really be looking our best. | NEWPORT is beginning its build up to hosting the 2010 Ryder Cup, and 2006 is going to be a critical year for the city. | It will be the year when many of the projects that are set to modernise the city will start on site; it will be a year when plans are turned into reality, when activity starts and the city begins to resonate to the reassuring sound of development. It will be the year when we will see tangible evidence of Newport's transformation into a modern, vibrant city for the first time. | The Newport of the future will engage with its waterfront as a key leisure asset. A cultural left bank district will be home to the media, arts and education. | There will be more shops, more brand names, more retail choice. A new commercial district will provide businesses with state-of-the-art office city centre accommodation. Marina-style apartments will overlook the River Usk while an improved transport system will lead to a city that is clean and green. | In short, Newport will become a lively and pleasant place in which to live, work and visit."

     

    And sure enough, the most dramatic sign of Newport's new found city confidence and portent of more changes to come was the opening of the new Newport City Footbridge on 12 September 2006, a hundred years to the day of the opening of the Newport Transporter Bridge, Newport's monument to twentieth century industrialism.  

    Today's Newport Unlimited regeneration project and the changing cityscape comprises Newport's most significant phase of change in the built environment since it's 1960's redevelopment.

     

     

    The new bridge provides the most visible emblem of the new city's regeneration efforts, and " a glimpse of the shape of things to come":          

                              

    "Newport’s new £5 million foot and cycle bridge, the first completed project to be delivered as part of the city’s multi-million pound regeneration programme, was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday 12 September 2006). | "On the day the city celebrated the centenary of the Transporter Bridge, Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise Innovation and Networks and Cllr Miqdad Al-Nuaimi, Mayor of Newport, opened the new bridge with the help of pupils from Maindee and St Woolos primary schools.(...) | "During the opening ceremony, the name of the bridge was also unveiled for the first time by Andrew Davies. It will be called Newport City Footbridg and takes the number of bridges in the city centre to five. | "Said Mr Davies: "A hundred years after the construction of the iconic Transporter Bridge, the city of Newport now acquires its fifth city-centre crossing of the river Usk. The opening of this new footbridge marks a further step forward in the regeneration of Newport – a city that stands at the gateway to Wales and which plays a key role on the life of our country. | "Newport has a proud past – and we are determined that it will have a fine future." | "Standing 70m (230ft) high – 17m taller (56ft) than Nelson’s column - the 850 tonne bridge forms a key part of Newport Unlimited’s regeneration plans, linking the east and west side of the River Usk and providing quick and easy access for pedestrians and cyclists into the city centre. | "It will play an important role in taking people straight into Newport’s new retail centre, which is currently undergoing more than a £200 million facelift with two complementary schemes led by Modus Corovest Ltd and UBS. | "It features two A-Frame masts that support the bridge from the west bank. The forward mast is 80m (262 ft) long and the back mast is 70m (230ft) long, but because of the angles at which the masts are positioned, the back mast is the tallest part of the structure above ground level. The deck is 145m long (476 ft) – the length of 17 buses - 5m (16 ft) wide, and 4m (13 ft) above high tide. | "Cllr Bob Bright, leader of Newport City Council, said: "On the day that the city celebrates 100 years of the Transporter Bridge, it is great to be able to welcome the arrival of a new bridge which has already become another famous landmark for the city. (...) | "Grant Watson, chairman of Newport Unlimited said: "Newport City Footbridge gives us a glimpse of the shape of things to come. | "As the first project to be delivered as part of the multi-million regeneration programme it sets an important quality bench mark for the city. Importantly, it proves that the regeneration programme is focused on delivering tangible projects that will make a real difference to the lives of people in Newport. | "The bridge is one of 50 projects that will be rolled out in the run up to the Ryder Cup, all of which are focused on transforming Newport into the economic heartbeat of south east Wales." | "The design of Newport City Footbridge was chosen in conjunction with the Design Council for Wales. Its crane-like structures are designed as a symbolic link to the site’s earlier use as trading wharves – but with a modern twist. ( see here )

    Bridges have transcended their traditional utilitarian function to become a conspicuous feature of urban regeneration strategy in the UK in recent years, a fashion sparked by a number of bridge projects across the UK to mark Millennium Year 2000. The reasons are not difficult to grasp, as large-scale bridges represent a major intervention into the built environment and can play a significant role in place-marketing and the re-branding of place. As expanded upon in a BBC article marking the joint Newport Transporter Bridge anniversary celebration and opening of the new Newport City Footbridge, with reference to the Gateshead millennium bridge and, closer to home, Swansea's SA1 Sail Bridge, both linked to the same designer:

    • "This idea of bridges being both catalysts and symbols of change has gained ground recently. According to Richard Parnaby, of the Design Commission for Wales, "in regeneration projects we're seeing more and more iconic bridges making a statement about being a 'new place'. | Top left clockwise: the Newport transporter bridge; Swansea sail bridge; Millennium bridge, London; Millennium bridge, Newcastle | Bridges can become iconic symbols of cities: "Bridges are also making links between developed urban areas and undeveloped ones, opening up new opportunities, new markets." | In the later 20th Century, bridges were often boring, functional affairs, built just to help people get around, mainly in their cars. | Elegant and daring: But this is changing. In the last decade or so, more architects in the UK have been seeing bridges also as objects of beauty and interest. | Jim Eyre, designer of the award-winning Millennium Bridge which joins Newcastle with Gateshead, says it has really rejuvenated Tyneside's image. | "What's also interesting is that the bridge has helped to increase civic pride in Gateshead." | Mr Eyre is part of the team that recently brought Swansea its new Waterfront Museum and Sail Bridge across the Tawe. | The crossing, between the marina and an area opening up for development called SA1, gets its name from the way the structure's central pillar and its steel cable suspension put you in mind of a ship's mast and rigging. | Its elegant and daring engineering has been taken to heart by the people I spoke to this week. | "It's beautiful, especially when lit up at night," said one. Others liked the fact that the Sail Bridge was for people and cycles, not cars. | Mr Eyre say his Swansea bridge is a powerful image. The hope is that, like Newport's latest marine structure, it will inspire greater pride and attract new economic activity in areas that have fallen on hard times". ( - BBC Wales here ). 

    Thus Newport's Usk-side spectacle forms a part of the wider Faustian drama of urban regeneration and waterside redevelopment, that has played itself out on the banks of the the Thames, the Clyde and the Tyne, and closer to home, the Tawe, as these former coalfield - ports and powerhouses of Empire adapt to the "post-industrial" present.

     

    The transformation of Newport city centre continues apace. If one has not visited the city for a few weeks, dramatic scenes are glimpsed yet again as demolition work continues.This photo was taken in March 2007.  At the time of writing for instance, the Capitol Car Park is due for demolition.  Regular updates are issued by Newport Unlimited (see here), and Newport City Council publishes Newport Matters (see for example  Newport Matters Oct 2006 here ).

     

     



     

    City status and the challenge of modernity

     

    Thus we may say that Newport's assumption of city status in 2002 provides a dramatic chapter in Newport's rise to the  Faustian challenge of modernity across the generations. News of Newport's city status came in the aftermath of steel closures that marked a final decline of the traditional economy of coal and steel. Today, in 2007, Newport has all the appearance of a city on the move as it engages its regeneration strategy towards the horizon of 2010.

    The burgeoning City of Newport has lost no time in forging ahead with a major city centre redevelopment scheme.The new Newport City Footbridge spearheads today's large-scale city centre regeneration and echoes the Newport Transporter Bridge a century before as a monumental assertion of faith in the future prospects of Newport. Bridges have enacted Newport's rite of passage into the new century, monumental responses to the challenge of modernity. With large-scale redevelopment moving apace on the ground, the City of Newport is rebranding itself as a vibrant entrepreneurial city as the horizon of 2010 approaches when Newport will host the Ryder Cup and occupy a world stage.

    Thus Newport engages a "post-industrial" strategy in the passage from the "hard modernity" of coal and steel to today's "liquid modernity" of the entrepreneurial "city of re-invention", as the new city seeks to balance the logics of capital and territory, the challenge of competing for regional-global investments and creating a vital local "space of place".