Apologies of cross-posting
Call for Papers
Dear colleagues,
We invite your participation in a jointly-sponsored session of the UGRG and PERG at the forthcoming RGS-IBG conference, which critically examines the form and nature of public/private sector relations in urban development and governance frameworks.
RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2007, August 28th-31st, RGS House and Imperial College, London
Session: Private Pursuit of the Public Good?: Rethinking Private Sector Engagement in Urban Governance and Development Policy (Jointly sponsored by the Urban Geography Research Group and the Planning and Environment Research Group)
Session Convenors: Dr. Susan Moore (School of City and Regional Planning, Cardiff University) and Dr Mike Raco (Department of Geography, King’s College London)
Abstract:
The role of the private sector in the governance, management, and implementation of urban development policies in the UK and beyond has been expanding in recent decades. Private companies now deliver a range of welfare services and the identification and mobilization of private sector ‘voices’, often through formal and informal partnerships, is seen as essential to the effectiveness of any urban development programme. At the same time, increasingly stretched public sector authorities often have little choice but to engage in partnerships with private sector investors.
In much academic writing these ‘public’ and ‘private’ market interests are largely cast in antagonistic relationships. Public sector bodies are often characterised as being concerned with the longer-term and socially-oriented aspects of development, whereas private sector interests are seen as short-termist and focused on profit. In recognition of this, this session welcomes papers that examine and assess the form and character of public/private distinctions and the extent to which the taken-for-granted constructions of ‘private’ and ‘public’ sectors are necessary categories in urban development processes. In particular, papers are sought which critically engage with the increasing prominence of active private sector participants in urban planning and development policy.
The following are considered as possible, themes for investigation:
* The definitions and distinctions made between the public/private sectors in relation to urban development policy and practice
* The form and character of contemporary formal and informal policy networks and engagement arrangements
* Changes in planning and development professional labour markets and the impact this has on policy frameworks and institutional knowledge
* Dependencies of ‘design-led planning’ on expertise and innovation in the building and development industry
* The role of private-sector professionals in policy-making processes
* Empirical studies of private sector engagements with specific national, regional and local urban development policy frameworks.
International and comparative studies are encouraged.
Please contact: Susan Moore ([log in to unmask]) or Mike Raco ([log in to unmask]) before 31st January 2007 with an abstract of your proposed paper.
_______________________________________________________
[log in to unmask]
An urban geography discussion and announcement forum
List Archives: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/URB-GEOG-FORUM
Maintained by: RGS-IBG Urban Geography Research Group
UGRG Home Page: http://www.urban-geography.org.uk
|