This comment looks at the findings presented by Rhodes et al. (2005) in relation to the effects of seven SRB case studies on local outcomes. It questions their selective discussion of the positive outcomes relative to the national benchmarks they present and their aggregation of the theories of change, the outputs and the outcomes from the programme; it also raises some further methodological considerations relevant to the evaluation of area-based initiatives. In conclusion, this comment argues that the ability for evaluations of ABIs to show their precise contributions to outcomes is seriously constrained by both methodological and practical considerations.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Alcock, P. (2004) Targets, indicators and mile-stones: what is driving area-based policy action in England?, Public Management Review , 6(2), pp. 211-227.
2.
Hollister, R.G. and Hill, J. (1995) Problems in the evaluation of community-wide initiatives , in: J. P. Connell, A. C. Kubisch, L. B. Schorr and C. H. Weiss (Eds) New Approaches to Evaluating Community Initiatives: Vol. 1 Concepts, Methods and Contexts, pp. 127-172. Washington, DC: Aspen Institute.
3.
Lawless, P. (2004) Locating and explaining area-based urban initiatives: New Deal for Communities in England, Environment and Planning C, 22(3), pp. 383-399.
4.
Odpm (Office Of The Deputy Prime Minister) ( 2004) Assessing the impact of spatial interventions. regeneration, renewal and regional development. the 3Rs guidance. ODPM , London.
5.
Pawson, R. and Tilley, N. (1997) Realistic Evaluation. London : Sage.
6.
Putnam, R. (2000) Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon and Schuster .
7.
Putnam, R. (Ed.) (2002) Democracies in Flux: The Evolution of Social Capital in Contemporary Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
8.
Rhodes, J., Tyler, P. and Brennan, A. (2005) Assessing the effect of Area Based Initiatives on local area outcomes: some thoughts based on the national evaluation of the Single Regeneration Budget in England, Urban Studies, 42(11), pp. 1919-1946.
