{"id":26043,"date":"2025-07-29T06:40:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T06:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citeplan.net\/?p=26043"},"modified":"2025-08-22T06:59:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T06:59:47","slug":"how-to-identify-the-assets-that-make-small-town-regeneration-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citeplan.net\/?p=26043","title":{"rendered":"How to Identify the Assets That Make Small-Town Regeneration Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16bf462e437a995785d3316da8510808\" style=\"color:#c4ac48\"><strong>Small-Town Regeneration Insights #<\/strong>8<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The Strengths We Forget to See: Finding the Assets That Hold Towns Together<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3b4069a9eaabd3b2d2b70f1c7728d251 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#40c1ac\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:19% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"429\" height=\"460\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/citeplan.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-02-10-153623.png?resize=429%2C460&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26116 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/citeplan.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-02-10-153623.png?w=429&amp;ssl=1 429w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/citeplan.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-02-10-153623.png?resize=280%2C300&amp;ssl=1 280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 429px) 100vw, 429px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s easy to spot what\u2019s broken in a town. But what takes more time and intention is noticing what\u2019s holding things together. In every small town we\u2019ve worked in, it is either a person, a place, or a rhythm that people rely on. It might not make the headlines, but it matters, and it\u2019s often the thread that holds everything together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is why Phase 2, Task 1.2 of the Small-Town Regeneration Strategy (STR) is focused on identifying those assets, not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a way of recognising the resources, relationships, and local energy that already exist. It\u2019s this work that helps towns move from assumptions to grounded, practical planning.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0983a28a8aa84a694ce60a6abd2eba2e\" style=\"color:#577485\">What Counts as a Community Asset?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Community assets are not always the obvious ones. Some are formal, like the primary school, the fire station, the library. Others are informal, but no less important: the aunty who runs a feeding scheme from her stoep, the mechanic who fixes things for free, the soccer coach who mentors teens after school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The STR defines assets as anything that adds value to community life and could contribute to regeneration. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>People:<\/strong> The skills, leadership, and lived experience of residents, whether it\u2019s a nurse, a home-based carer, a youth coach, or an elder who remembers how things used to work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Places:<\/strong> Schools, churches, empty halls, playgrounds, and even underused spaces with potential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Services:<\/strong> From local clinics to a weekly recycling project, services that keep the town moving.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Organisations and Institutions:<\/strong> NGOs, cooperatives, sports clubs, SMMEs, and local businesses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Environmental assets<\/strong>: natural spaces, gardens, land, water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In STR, these aren\u2019t \u201cnice-to-haves.\u201d They are the starting point. Asset-based development means building from strength, not waiting for external rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d27237963961351adf486d45a9c956d2 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0f4c81\"><em><strong>When assets are recognised early, they become part of the foundation for what comes next.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Assets Aren\u2019t Always Infrastructure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the biggest shifts this process invites is to see assets beyond the visible. Yes, there are parks and clinics and roads. But often, the most reliable parts of a town are informal. Like the Neigbourhood Food Programme in Moorreesburg that quietly supports dozens of families each week. Or the local mechanic who doubles as a youth mentor. These are the systems people trust, not because they\u2019re official, but because they show up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d7cd041d9b43c4f59b088e420ae9b73c\" style=\"color:#577485\">How Do You Find These Assets?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don\u2019t need a complex tool or an external consultant. You need curiosity, structure, and time. There\u2019s no perfect formula, but a combination of practical tools, local insight, and relationship-building goes a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most STR towns start by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Working with the Community Task Team (CTT)<\/strong>: This group, made up of local residents, often knows exactly where to start looking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Windshield and walking tours:<\/strong> Team members observe different areas at different times, taking note of community patterns, unused spaces, and informal hubs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Key informant interviews:<\/strong> Local leaders, elders, teachers, and caretakers offer rich insights into who does what, what\u2019s working, and where trust lives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Asset mapping:<\/strong> Create a visual representation of physical and social assets\u2014what&#8217;s where, and who\u2019s connected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Focus groups:<\/strong> Hold conversations with diverse groups about the town\u2019s strengths, gaps, and informal networks of care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Inventories:<\/strong> Capture both individual and organisational capacity, what people and groups can offer, and where their energy lies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Creative methods:<\/strong> Murals, storytelling, and photo projects invite people to express their knowledge in ways that feel comfortable and honest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Community surveys:<\/strong> These help triangulate findings and offer a broader perspective on what people value most.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-699bfe7a53e1ee927a173c96acca256a wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0f4c81\"><strong>\ud83d\udccc <\/strong><em><strong><strong>Practical tip<\/strong>:<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-08c689e6221d18d4df552591212138b1\" style=\"color:#0f4c81\"><em>Combine methods. Don\u2019t rely on one format. Interviews give depth, tours give context, and surveys give reach.<\/em> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-223703a936dc46455bea4d711e76bc3e\" style=\"color:#0f4c81\"><em>Don\u2019t skip over the small things. A backyard garden project or a WhatsApp parenting group might feel insignificant, but when connected with others, it becomes part of a larger support system.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b6ce6e81d51f0ad61f44d3b4cdc6e851\" style=\"color:#577485\">What Happens After the Assessment?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The asset assessment isn\u2019t a list that sits in a folder. It informs real decisions. A good asset assessment yields more than a list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what it leads to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Shared understanding<\/strong>: Both the Municipal Task Team (MTT) and CTT see the same picture of what\u2019s strong and where support is needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">A <strong>comprehensive inventory<\/strong> of the town\u2019s resources, mapped, discussed, and documented.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">A clearer sense of where collaboration is already happening (and where it can be strengthened).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Better project planning<\/strong>: When towns move into design and implementation, they already know who and what they can rely on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">A foundation for priority setting and project design in Phase 3.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>More realistic goals<\/strong>: Asset-based thinking helps focus on achievable steps, especially in resource-constrained contexts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Pride and Participation:<\/strong> When people see their contributions valued, participation increases, and so does momentum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also common for early project ideas to surface here. A closed cr\u00e8che, for example, may become the site of a youth hub. A long-standing garden club could take on a greening initiative. The strength of this phase lies in its ability to spark community-led solutions from the very beginning. These are small steps, but they are grounded, doable, and already connected to what people care about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-aaab5f40b6c8a7d7d635ee8ab6efcdea\" style=\"color:#577485\">The Role of the MTT and CTT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The MTT and the CTT are not observers in this process, they are facilitators, connectors, and stewards of the work. Together, they build a picture of the town that\u2019s grounded and usable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The MTT supports and steers the process from within government. They help structure the assessment, provide tools and coordination, and connect findings to formal planning. Their role is to hold the administrative side of the work and make sure insights are translated into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grounded in local life, the CTT brings insight, trust, and deep knowledge of what\u2019s already working. They help identify assets others may miss, especially informal networks and everyday practices that hold the town together. Their presence ensures the process reflects lived realities, not just technical goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>MTT Responsibilities<\/th><th>CTT Responsibilities<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Coordinates the process, sets objectives, and ensures resources and tools are available.<\/td><td>Engages with local groups and residents, helping to gather insights and shape the assessment.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oversees data collection and helps analyse patterns.<\/td><td>Brings contextual understanding to data and ensures diverse voices are included.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Leads the documentation process and turns findings into a usable inventory.<\/td><td>Assists with translation, interpretation, and outreach to groups often left out.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Uses the findings to guide planning in Phase 3.<\/td><td>Works with the MTT to shape next steps in a way that makes sense locally.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best results come when both teams are active and aligned. CTT members guide the process from the ground up. MTT members make sure it\u2019s resourced, supported, and built into the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4e2617252e8ed123be58c64522dc8198 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0f4c81\"><strong><strong>\ud83d\udccc <\/strong><em><strong><strong>Practical tip<\/strong>:<\/strong> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86aec44dd099431c182e14d58541e203\" style=\"color:#0f4c81\"><em>Rotate meeting venues to make it easier for different groups to participate.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ad84d3e05b2d18cf4708cce87ae80e36\" style=\"color:#0f4c81\"><em>Use community events to share what\u2019s being done and invite new voices in.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3f1f4725f3de1e01e1c90b8ca97f15b9\" style=\"color:#0f4c81\"><em>Document early, but leave room for surprises; some of the best ideas come midway through the process.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e7c291f817e1e06d3a24041f2efa57d2\" style=\"color:#577485\">What We&#8217;ve Seen on the Ground<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In all three pilot towns, the community asset assessment process brought some unexpected insights to the surface, but only when people were given the space to lead, not just respond. Across the pilot sites, asset identification revealed different types of strengths. Some were obvious, like Modimolle\u2019s strategic location and natural beauty. Others were more subtle, like the value of knowing your neighbour in a small town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Modimolle<\/strong>, the town\u2019s economic assets included a strong agricultural base, active informal trading, and a growing tourism sector. The community highlighted skills development and educational facilities as key social assets. Importantly, there was a sense of community pride and strong participation, especially around local planning efforts and town improvement initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:34% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/citeplan.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Assets.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26120 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/citeplan.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Assets-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/citeplan.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Assets-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Piketberg<\/strong> residents pointed to the town\u2019s clean and orderly environment, its role as a hub for agriculture and retail, and the strength of social cohesion, particularly around sport. Good municipal service delivery, coupled with a sense of respect among residents, was seen as a strength. Notably, there were no informal settlements, and the built environment was described as safe and peaceful, enhancing everyday life.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Senekal<\/strong>, people spoke about the town\u2019s cultural heritage, scenic landscape, and central location as significant assets. The presence of natural beauty and historic character created opportunities for tourism. But what also stood out was the community\u2019s deep concern with the quality of services and infrastructure, and their willingness to speak about it honestly. Even in a context of mistrust, that kind of engagement is an asset in itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What stood out across all three towns was this: community asset mapping is not a technical exercise. It\u2019s an invitation to reset relationships, elevate informal networks, and co-produce a shared picture of what matters. The role of the MTT and CTT in holding this space, actively listening, connecting the dots, and helping translate insight into action\u2014proved to be one of the strongest predictors of momentum. These early findings helped set the tone for what followed. They showed that even where challenges are deep, communities hold a wealth of knowledge, networks and assets that can guide regeneration, if given the chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92803d912272e6990f60bde02807f0b3\" style=\"color:#577485\">What We&#8217;re Learning as We Go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Every town has something to build from, it just doesn\u2019t always show up in the first meeting or on the first map.<\/strong> In Senekal, the early sessions didn\u2019t reveal much beyond frustrations with service delivery. But once the process slowed and residents began to speak about what still worked, like the connection to the landscape and a shared pride in the town\u2019s agricultural role, a different kind of picture began to emerge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>The more tools and approaches we use, the more layered that picture becomes<\/strong>. A walkabout will show you things a workshop won\u2019t. In Piketberg, walking the town helped the team notice the everyday rhythms that gave people pride: clean streets, the absence of informal settlements, and a sense of safety in public spaces. Those weren\u2019t the focus of formal planning documents, but they meant something to residents, and shaped how they thought about the future.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Asset-mapping isn\u2019t just about infrastructure.<\/strong> It\u2019s about what holds the town together when things don\u2019t work. In Modimolle, for example, local agricultural knowledge, informal trading, and relationships between community groups became the real scaffolding for future plans. These weren\u2019t always labelled as \u201cassets,\u201d but once they were recognised, they offered a strong base to build on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Informal systems are often the ones people trust most,<\/strong> but they\u2019re easy to overlook unless someone names them. In Senekal, a local resident quietly mentioned how a community member helped coordinate lifts for learners without transport. That wasn\u2019t a service on any official list, but it was an asset that mattered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>When people see their knowledge reflected in the work, the whole process shifts. <\/strong>It becomes theirs. And that\u2019s where momentum starts. In all three towns, once residents recognised themselves in the process, in the asset maps, in the notes from sessions, in the early project ideas, participation grew. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Assets are everywhere. <\/strong>They\u2019re not always obvious, but they\u2019re there. From the skills people carry to the buildings we\u2019ve stopped noticing, regeneration begins by paying attention to what already exists.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">That\u2019s why <strong>using different methods matters.<\/strong> A conversation over tea will uncover one kind of insight. A mapping exercise will surface another. Together, they help build a fuller picture, one that\u2019s not only richer, but more real.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">And<strong> none of it works unless the CTT and MTT are working together.<\/strong> One brings the community in. The other helps carry what\u2019s found into planning. When that partnership is strong, things move, not always quickly, but with clarity and purpose.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Because this isn\u2019t just about collecting information. It\u2019s about building trust. And <strong>when people feel heard and recognised, they show up differently.<\/strong> That kind of engagement can\u2019t be faked, and it\u2019s one of the strongest foundations a town can have.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The way this step is done sets the tone for what follows. <strong>What you find, and how you find it, shapes what comes next<\/strong> in the process. So don\u2019t rush it. Some of the most meaningful insights only surface when the pace slows and people feel safe enough to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s when regeneration becomes real, because it starts to belong. Not just to a plan, but to the people it\u2019s meant to serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-05e9f59153347f6353b0c756bae871fe\" style=\"color:#c4ac48\">For More Information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>STR Implementing Agent: CITEPLAN (Pty) Ltd<\/strong><\/em> | Technical Manager: Istell Orton-Nightingale at <a href=\"mailto:istell@citeplan.net\">istell@citeplan.net<\/a> or Communication Contact: Eriva Nanyonjo at <a href=\"mailto:eriva@citeplan.net\">eriva@citeplan.net<\/a><br><strong><em>Project Sponsor: Department of Cooperative Governance<\/em><\/strong> | Project Manager: Prabin Govender at <a href=\"mailto:prabing@cogta.gov.za\">prabing@cogta.gov.za<\/a> or Communication Contact: Moferefere Moloi at <a href=\"mailto:mofereferem@cogta.gov.za\">mofereferem@cogta.gov.za<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/citeplan.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/STR-Town-Based-Approach-Implementation-Guidelines_2025-2.pdf\" style=\"background-color:#577485\">For more guidance on identifying community assets, download the STR Guideline<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Small-Town Regeneration Insights #8 The Strengths We Forget to See: Finding the Assets That Hold Towns Together It\u2019s easy to spot what\u2019s broken in a town. But what takes more time and intention is noticing what\u2019s holding things together. In every small town we\u2019ve worked in, it is either a person, a place, or a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":26119,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"WB4WB4WP_MODE":"","WB4WP_PAGE_SCRIPTS":"","WB4WP_PAGE_STYLES":"","WB4WP_PAGE_FONTS":"","WB4WP_PAGE_HEADER":"","WB4WP_PAGE_FOOTER":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Identify the Assets That Make Small-Town Regeneration Work - Citeplan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/citeplan.net\/?p=26043\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Identify the Assets That Make Small-Town Regeneration Work - Citeplan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Small-Town Regeneration Insights #8 The Strengths We Forget to See: Finding the Assets That Hold Towns Together It\u2019s easy to spot what\u2019s broken in a town. But what takes more time and intention is noticing what\u2019s holding things together. 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