Share these talks and lectures with your colleagues
Invite colleaguesResearch paper
New approaches to growth planning on larger-than-local scales
Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal,
10
(1),
73-88
(2016)
Abstract
Approaches to growth planning and spatial governance on larger-than-local scales are matters of entrenched contention. Following the annulment of regionalised patterns of working and policy coordination across England during the early 2010s, much of the country was left without suitable larger-than-local scales of spatial governance and planning arrangements for delivering growth ambitions. This paper analyses the emergence of new approaches to planning for growth that have arisen on larger-than-local scales since the abandonment of regionalised policy working. Specifically, the nature and capabilities of strategic economic plans are examined, derived from a national comparative analysis of all of them. The findings draw attention to some of the defining challenges of informal growth planning on larger-than-local scales, as the research considers the extent to which these plans address an apparent strategic void. A key distinction is drawn between plans resembling bidding documents and those that could be considered to be plans for the area. In doing so, the intent is that the research contributes new knowledge to the evolving practice of strategic planning and economic strategy.
Keywords: economic development; growth planning; local enterprise partnerships (LEPs); regional planning; spatial governance
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Lee Pugalis is based at the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) where he is Professor of Urban Studies. Previously, he worked for local, regional and national government in the UK. He is an editor of the journals Regional Studies, Regional Science and Local Economy, which reflect his research interests in urban regeneration, local and regional development, and entrepreneurial governance. Lee is a World Social Science Fellow and an expert advisor to the Assembly of European Regions.
Alan Townsend is qualified as a town planner (MRTPI) and has a long career in regional and local economic development, having worked in academia, civil service regional offices, town planning consultancy and as an elected councillor. His last posts were Professor of Regional Regeneration & Development Studies at Durham University and Chair of Planning and Chair of Regeneration for Wear Valley District Council. He is currently Chair of the North East Research and Information Partnership.
Nick Gray is a doctoral researcher at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University. His research interests include local and regional development, subnational governance, labour markets and welfare reform. Nick is North East England Chair of the Regional Studies Association and was previously a policy advisor at Newcastle City Council, specialising in economic analysis, social inclusion and migration.
Ania Ankowska is a doctoral researcher and research associate at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University. Her research interests focus on local and regional accountability and governance. Ania is a co-founder and former vice-president of Anti-Corruption International, and she has previously served as youth delegate to the Council of Europe and worked at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific.
