A Case for Business Improvement Districts in Scotland: Policy Transfer in Practice?

摘要

In a devolved Scotland, the Scottish Executive has attempted to assert a distinctively Scottish agenda for the specific policy areas for which it has responsibility. This is particularly the case with respect to urban regeneration, land-use policy and land-use planning, and social inclusion, although the actual extent of distinctiveness, policy entrepreneurship or 'one-upmanship' in its policy development is open to debate (Tewdwr-Jones, 2001). Whilst it is attempting to assert its own voice, it is able to draw down on ideas elsewhere. Thus, for example, in parallel to the Local Government Act (2003) in England, which introduced business improvement districts (BIDs), the Scottish Executive published a Consultation Paper which considered the potential of the measure in Scotland. This raises questions about the appropriateness of adopting measures from elsewhere which are expected to be appropriate to different sets of circumstances.