Putting communities in control: a Scottish perspective

A new understanding of the complexities of multi-level governance has emerged in the UK in recent years that emphasizes the importance of devolving power to localities. Many of the most innovative examples of community decision-making can be found in the field of community regeneration. This paper examines the experience of five communities in Dundee, Scotland, who were given devolved responsibility for the use of regeneration funding to improve their neighbourhoods. While the paper demonstrates positive benefits of adopting a localist approach, it also reveals challenges that will need to be overcome if the approach is to be adopted more widely.