Hilary and Martin Wainwright report. Gordon to the rescue Hopes of cash for regeneration rest with the chancellor. Frontier spirit Once seen as bean counters, finance directors are increasingly working at the heart of operations in a rapidly changing world. Muted responses to the urban white paper are misguided, says Esther Knight of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, who believes it is a significant agenda for renewal. Rogers anger at white paper omissions Architect Lord Rogers has criticised John Prescott's paper, saying that crucial ideas from his report on urban renaissance have been ignored.
Housing is key to regeneration plans A significant number of people live in unfit dwellings.
David Walker says this is unlikely to change without investment from public and private landlords. New powers to halt flight from the cities Councils and government agencies have been promised new compulsory purchase powers to force through the redevelopment of derelict sites in a package of measures designed to breathe new life into towns and cities. The old communities of east Manchester present the ultimate regeneration challenge. Canal plan to revitalise Mersey docks Narrow boats may soon cruise past Liverpool's famous Pier Head along a new half-mile stretch of canal that would be one of the first of its type to be built in Britain for 200 years. Housing the poor professionals Estates designed to house London's working poor are now attracting nurses, teachers, junior doctors and IT professionals who can't afford to live close to their inner city jobs.