Prove it! measuring the effect of neighbourhood renewal on local people

This handbook written by staff at the New Economics Foundation and is concerned with measuring the effect of neighbourhood renewal on local people. It suggests that it is no longer enough to justify neighbourhood renewal projects in physical terms, by the number of trees planted or amenities created. Attention has switched to the effect of these projects on local people, and these effects are more difficult to measure. The handbook describes a method for measuring the effect of community projects on local people, on the relationships between them and on their quality of life. It incorporates participatory practices and uses indicators which validate social rather than physical outcomes. The body of the book is divided between "deciding" and "doing". Deciding has three chapters which include: whether to evaluate at all; whether to involve local people and how far to take participation; and what to measure - quality of life or something else. Doing is relevant once the decision to proceed has been taken. Chapters include: À Getting started À Agreeing issues À Choosing indicators À Gathering information À Communicating progress À Taking action There are three appendices. The first provides background on the concept of social capital. The second gives a long list of possible indicators for use. The third contains some questionnaires and a sample form of guidance for interviewers. The book is written for project officers from agencies and from local government, citizens who are likely to be invited to take part in measurement, and decision makers who are likely to commission such measurement and to use the results.