The Evolution and Trajectories of English Spatial Governance: ‘Neoliberal’ Episodes in Planning

Abstract

English planning again finds itself in a transition from one paradigm—spatial planning—to another—localism. Whilst there is uncertainty and a debate over the significance of these changes and whether they represent a rupture or evolution, we argue in this paper that such change is best understood within the framework of neoliberalization. Seen from this perspective planning is a form of, or contributor to, neoliberal spatial governance. We explore how such an understanding helps explain temporal, spatial, and sectoral variance in planning as well as some of the characteristics of recent planning including scalar change, signature policy moments, resistance, tensions, and insurgent movements. We finally turn to some possible implications of the emerging paradigm.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Jamie Peck and Richard Cowell, plus the editor and anonymous referees of this journal for comments on an earlier draft, but only we can be held responsible for any errors of fact, interpretation, and omission here.

Notes

1. Thanks to Jamie Peck for helping us in thinking through these issues.