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Two Community development: historical overview

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of community development over the period of 40 years to provide a ‘backcloth’ for the changing practice of community development. The chapter begins with the 1960s during which social work was prevalent and community development officers were first appointed within the local authority social work departments. The chapter then moves on to the radical campaigns of the 1970s and the challenging reports from the community development projects (CDPs). In the 1980s, community development suffered significant cutbacks. It was also a period marked by a move away from social services departments as the ‘sponsor’ of community development towards that of economic development. This was developed further in the 1990s with the urban regeneration programmes in which community development became intertwined with the community involvement aspects of regeneration programmes. By the turn of the twenty-first century, community development has gained a higher prominence with the New Labour government that highlighted the indispensable role of the community in improving public services and promoting local democracy. However, it has also brought with it tensions due to the lack of a community voice which is significant for the achievement and success of community development work. This chapter aims to refer to the main signposts in community development and to provide readers an essential background required for the book as a whole.

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of community development over the period of 40 years to provide a ‘backcloth’ for the changing practice of community development. The chapter begins with the 1960s during which social work was prevalent and community development officers were first appointed within the local authority social work departments. The chapter then moves on to the radical campaigns of the 1970s and the challenging reports from the community development projects (CDPs). In the 1980s, community development suffered significant cutbacks. It was also a period marked by a move away from social services departments as the ‘sponsor’ of community development towards that of economic development. This was developed further in the 1990s with the urban regeneration programmes in which community development became intertwined with the community involvement aspects of regeneration programmes. By the turn of the twenty-first century, community development has gained a higher prominence with the New Labour government that highlighted the indispensable role of the community in improving public services and promoting local democracy. However, it has also brought with it tensions due to the lack of a community voice which is significant for the achievement and success of community development work. This chapter aims to refer to the main signposts in community development and to provide readers an essential background required for the book as a whole.

Chapters in this book

  1. Front Matter i
  2. Contents iii
  3. Foreword iv
  4. Community Development Foundation (CDF) v
  5. Acknowledgements vi
  6. Introduction 1
  7. Community development: historical overview 7
  8. A seat at the table? The changing context for community development 17
  9. Can we do more? Assessing the purpose and role of community development 31
  10. Achieving change: the rise of partnerships and their impact on community development practice 55
  11. Who is it for? Accountability and community development 75
  12. Where is community development today? 93
  13. References 113
  14. Appendix: The interviewees 117
  15. Index 129
Making spaces for community development
This chapter is in the book Making spaces for community development
https://doi.org/10.56687/9781847422606-005

Chapters in this book

  1. Front Matter i
  2. Contents iii
  3. Foreword iv
  4. Community Development Foundation (CDF) v
  5. Acknowledgements vi
  6. Introduction 1
  7. Community development: historical overview 7
  8. A seat at the table? The changing context for community development 17
  9. Can we do more? Assessing the purpose and role of community development 31
  10. Achieving change: the rise of partnerships and their impact on community development practice 55
  11. Who is it for? Accountability and community development 75
  12. Where is community development today? 93
  13. References 113
  14. Appendix: The interviewees 117
  15. Index 129
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