Private landlords may actually need encouragement to maintain ageing suburban housing stock, and consideration should be given to the reintroduction of Housing Improvement Grants. In the meantime, local authorities could stimulate property conversions, including the provision of more accommodation for the elderly, new Living Over The Shop initiatives, and selective redevelopment of sites in or close to declining local centres that could be served by public transport. Good design guidance and support, another need, is, however, of little use in isolation. The political and community context has to be developed in parallel, or better, in advance. But design guidance can help identify opportunities and demonstrate a commitment to quality which can assist the process of change and improve the outcomes.
Community engagement is also essential for the development of socially sustainable suburbs.
The government's quest to revitalise local democracy and create a new sense of active citizenship. Urban parishing and Community Appraisals, Community development ideas drawn from rural experience - may be appropriate to the suburbs too. Caroline Bourne is regeneration consultant for the Civic Trust.