The Europeanization of spatial strategy: Shaping regions and spatial justice through governmental ideas1

1. During 2002, one of the authors was engaged as a specialised expert by Amion Consulting to assist in the preparation of the South Yorkshire Spatial Study. The purpose of this input was to provide knowledge of EU spatial concepts. This clearly provided privileged access to the study processes, but any instrumental role was limited, and the evidence used in this paper is largely in the public realm.

Abstract

This paper contributes to the current spatial turn in planning research by analysing the Europeanization of strategic planning practices in a specific territory, and the consequent implications for spatial justice. The narratives of policy making presented suggest that the normative construct of polycentric urban development, underpinned by the fundamental spatial organizing principles of frictionless mobility and balanced regional development, led to new expressions and meanings of space in the South Yorkshire case. These challenged the prevailing view on the future of the former coal mining communities, and reasserted a model of economic growth based on the indigenous assets held in city centres.

Acknowledgments

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Regional Studies Association Conference—Europe at the Margins, Angers, France, 15–16 April 2004. We would like to express our gratitude to Kai Bohme and Ole B. Jensen, and to our colleagues from the Department of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Sheffield and at Nordregio, the Nordic Centre for Spatial Development, Stockholm for the lively discussions which have set the context for the writing of this paper.

Notes

1. During 2002, one of the authors was engaged as a specialised expert by Amion Consulting to assist in the preparation of the South Yorkshire Spatial Study. The purpose of this input was to provide knowledge of EU spatial concepts. This clearly provided privileged access to the study processes, but any instrumental role was limited, and the evidence used in this paper is largely in the public realm.