Hi there,
Apologies for cross-posting, but this event may be of interest to some
list members.
Regards
Paul.
CALL FOR PAPERS
REGIONAL STUDIES ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2005
THURSDAY 24th NOVEMBER 2005
London Voluntary Sector Resource Centre
Holloway Road
London, UK
SUSTAINABLE REGIONS: MAKING REGIONS WORK
The imperative to create sustainable regions is rapidly rising up the
political agenda. As a counterweight to debates about economic growth
and productivity, there is increasing awareness of the importance of
regional strategies in which social, political and environmental
considerations are fully integrated into economic development. The
problems of creating regions 'that work' is evident across all regions
where unbalanced growth is associated with economic 'hotspots' alongside
areas of continuing social deprivation. Whilst areas such as London and
the South East are beset by chronic strains on infrastructure
(particularly relating to housing and transport) alongside growing
social polarisation, large scale redevelopment and renewal programmes -
in the north of England, Scotland and Wales they take place alongside
continuing social decay, marked by poor labour market activity rates and
massive 'hidden' unemployment. At the same time, the growing need to
confront environmental problems at both the global and local levels is
putting new pressures on those involved in urban and regional
development. This context leads to a number of issues about the nature
of current forms of economic development and the extent to which they
are compatible with a broader agenda of creating sustainable regions. As
environmental and social justice become more important, the issues of
democratic renewal and community engagement also come to the fore. In
the wake of the failed referendum on the North East Assembly especially,
questions about the future direction of regionalism and regional policy
in the UK have taken on a particular urgency.
To what extent do current regional policy agendas offer a broader and
sustainable vision of regions?
To what extent are regional agendas genuinely participatory in including
citizens and being open to democratic scrutiny?
How compatible are regional competitiveness agendas with other policy
goals of social inclusion and sustainable development?
How attainable are sustainable regions in the context of continuing
uneven development and inter-regional competition?
What are the lessons for sustainability to be learned from existing
devolved regions?
What is the role of policy towards transport and infrastructure
development in creating sustainable regions?
Trends towards greater global and European integration and multi-layered
governance are likely to accentuate the difficulties facing regions in
resolving these tensions and pose important strategic and practical
challenges for policymakers, academics and communities. This conference
aims to explore the issues surrounding creating sustainable regions and
invites papers in the following areas:
Economic development and alternative regional pathways
Issues of regional governance and inter-regional competition in the
context of developing sustainable regions
The role of transport and transport policy in regional development
Environmental sustainability and regional development
Creating integrated regional development
Case study/policy evidence
The conference format will involve several key-note speakers from the
academic and policymaking communities along side breakout sessions for
workshops. Speakers are required to provide a summary of their paper for
inclusion in the conference book which is given to all conference
participants on the day. Workshop contributors are asked to provide 1500
word summaries and Plenary speakers, 3000 word summaries by Monday, 12th
September 2005.
Please send offers of papers in the form of 200 - 400 word abstracts to
Sally Hardy at the Regional Studies Association by Monday 20th June,
2005.
Submissions should include telephone, fax and e-mail details.
Proposals will be considered by the Conference Programme Committee
against the criteria of originality and interest, subject balance and
geographical spread.
Regional Studies Association
PO Box 2058
Seaford BN25 4QU
Tel: +44 (0) 1323 899 698
Fax: +44 (0) 1323 899 798
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
The Regional Studies Association is a registered charity (No 1084165)
and a company registered in England (No. 4116288)
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Dr. Paul Benneworth
Senior Research Associate
Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU
From 21.04.05 Research Councils UK Academic Fellow, Institute of Policy
and Practice
Work: 0191 222 8015
Home: 0191 258 7437
Mobl: 07801 538 758
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