Networked Regions and cities in times of fragmentation: developing smart, sustainable and inclusive places
Sunday 13 - Wednesday 16 May 2012
Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
CALL FOR PAPERS
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http://www.regionalstudies.org/events/2012/May-Delft/
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Regions and cities are increasingly interdependent; economically, socially and environmentally. They are, for example, becoming more reliant on interregional flows of trade, labour and resources. Patterns of interactions between regions are experiencing rapid changes as a result of dramatic shifts in production and consumption patterns, advances in communication technologies and the development of transport infrastructure. These changes pose many challenges for the analysis and management of regions. They are also leading to new patterns of activities and relationships and new forms of clustering and networking between regions. At the same time, regions are becoming increasingly fragmented in many ways; economically, socially, environmentally and also politically. Classic forms of government based on clear cut arrangements between administrative levels, policy sectors and the public and private domain are no longer sufficient. The governance of regions faces multi-level, multi-actor and multi-sectoral challenges. New spatial interactions at new scales demand new approaches for consultation and coordination. More flexible ('softer') forms of governance are beginning to emerge which seek to work around traditional governmental arrangements. The result is a complex pattern of overlapping governance and fuzzy boundaries, not just in a territorial sense but also in terms of the role of both public and private actors. These new arrangements pose many as yet unresolved dilemmas concerning the transparency, accountability and legitimacy of decision-making. The 2012 RSA conference in Delft provides a timely opportunity for participants to come together and reflect on the various strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities of networked cities and regions within these different contexts of fragmentation.

GATEWAY THEMES:A. EU Regional policy and practice
B. Climate change, energy and sustainability
C. Migration, housing and labour markets
D. Social and environmental justice and inclusive places
E. Rural and peripheral challenges
F. Territorial cohesion and cooperation
G. City-regions, networks and urban systems
H. Spatial analysis and regional economiesI. Borders, border regions and cross-border learning
J. Industries, entrepreneurship, and regional competitiveness
K. Innovation and knowledge economies
L. Creativity, identities and branding
M. Territorial governance: planning policy and practice
N. Infrastructure and development
O. Local and regional economic development

SPECIAL SESSIONS
*       The evaluation of rural and regional policy: quantitative techniques
*       Spatial justice and urban/regional development
*       Rural Cooperation: Its nature, consequences and challenges
*       Assessing EU cohesion policy:effectiveness,impacts and implementation challenges
*       Planning smarter cities and regions
*       Cities, regions and the digital economy: new challenges and opportunities
*       Technopoles of the world revisited
*       The social dynamics of innovation networks
*       Clusters life cycles and territorial resilience in knowledge-based economies
*       Revisiting Cluster Imaginaries
*       Non-Metropolitan perspectives on creativity and identity
*       Peripheralisation - Governance responses of cities and regions
*       'Urban and regional planning systems: transformations, distinctiveness and policy styles'
*       Economic development paths within demographic shrinking regions

Organisers welcome proposals for special sessions, themed workshops and innovative forms of networking and collaboration. If you would like to organise a session please contact: Elizabeth Mitchell at [log in to unmask] A limited number of conference bursaries is available for eligible members.
Academic organisers: Wil Zonneveld: [log in to unmask], Evert Meijers: [log in to unmask], Dominic Stead: [log in to unmask]
RSA organiser: Elizabeth Mitchell: [log in to unmask]

For more information: http://www.regionalstudies.org/events/2012/May-Delft/
Deadline for submission: 10 February 2012
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