Moving tenants from their homes while improvements are carried out. Often occurs on a large scale during major regeneration projects, adding to pressure on the supply of affordable housing in some areas.

Government target to bring all social housing into decent condition by 2010. Involves ensuring housing has modern facilities and is warm and weatherproof. Many councils need additional funding to improve and modernise their homes and they can choose stock transfer to a housing association as a way of bringing in significant resources to achieve this target.Further information » Department for Communities and Local Government

Where decision-making is moved to another authority or body.

Public transport systems requested by local people as a result of conventional transport not being able to meet their particular needs eg the disabled or geographically dispersed.

Selected characteristics of a population (eg age, gender) for the purpose of social studies.

Condition in which individuals, groups or communities do not have adequate food, shelter, education or opportunities for improvement.

Design codes give guidance on how design principles can be delivered on a neighbourhood scale. The Government's 2006 research report Design Coding in Practice: An Evaluation found that design codes are valuable for large sites, sites in multiple ownership or involving several developers and design teams.Further informationPreparing Design Codes - A Practice ManualCase study of Upton, Northampton

Guidelines prepared by local authorities to coordinate and advise developers on expected standards, especially within the public realm.For example, a design guide may encourage windows for the natural surveillance of each street, preventing buildings from ‘turning their back’.Further informationAs an example, see Brent Council's Design Guide for Barnhill. 

Local planning authority process to decide whether a proposed development requires planning permission.

A document setting out a local planning authority's policy and proposals for development and use of land and buildings in the authority's area.Further informationPlanning Policy Statement 12: Local Spatial Planning sets out the Government's policy on the preparation of local development documents.» Planning Inspectorate 

Network of independent, not-for-profit, community-based organisations that are engaged in the economic, environmental and social regeneration of an area.Further information » Development Trusts Association

These are representatives chosen by the resident population at an election every four years. This person is the city's political leader, a role very different from the traditional role of mayor, which has tended to concentrate on civic and ceremonial functions. Only 12 UK local authorities currently have a directly-elected mayor. The role of directly-elected mayors has taken on added significance after the publication of the 2006 Local Government White Paper.Further informationPublic Attitudes to Directly Elected Mayors sets out residents' attitudes to their local authority, voting, and present and potential political leadership. A key issue in this report is attitudes to directly elected mayors; the difference people think such a person might make to the way things are run in the area and to their involvement in the political process. Published in 2006, The Local Government White Paper (pdf) aims to give local people and local communities more influence and power to improve their lives. It is about creating strong, prosperous communities and delivering better public services through a rebalancing of the relationship between central government, local government and local people.» Department for Communities and Local Government

Annual percentage rate at which the value of money reduces over time to give a present day value. Usually only used for funding calculations in very big projects.

Method of social research involving a group of people who are brought together to discuss their views or experiences surrounding a particular topic.

Extent to which the added value of a regeneration project is reduced by causing existing activity to relocate or be replaced.

Generating electricity from small energy sources outside the national grid network.

Heating systems which distribute steam or hot water to a number of buildings across a district. Heat can be provided from variety of sources, including geothermal, combined heat and power (CHP) plants, waste heat from industry and purpose-built heating plants.

Exist in each local authority area and provide a strategic lead in reducing drug and alcohol misuse. The DAT is responsible for the development of the local drug strategy to tackle the range of social conditions linked to drug misuse.Further informationDrugs: protecting families and communities - Action plan 2008-2011 (pdf) aims to restrict the supply of illegal drugs and reduce the demand for them. In particular it focuses on protecting families and strengthening communities.»  Drug Action Teams