Policy Expo 2018: Place-based Policy Expo: Enhancing Relevance, Sharpening Our Understanding
The Regional Studies Association commissioned a Policy Expo to look at place-based policy and its implementation around the globe. The research was led by:
- Andrew Beer, University of South Australia
- Markku Sotarauta, Tampere University
- Sarah Ayres, University of Bristol, UK
- Jiri Blazek, Charles University, Prague
- Fiona McKenzie, RMIT University
Across the globe policy makers implement, and academics teach and undertake research upon, place-based policy. But what is place-based policy, what does it aspire to achieve, what are the benefits of place-based approaches relative to other forms of policy, and what are the key determinants of success for this type of government intervention? This Policy Expo examines these questions, reviewing the literature and the experience of places and their governments around the world. We find place-based policies are essential in contemporary economies, providing solutions to otherwise intractable challenges such as the long-term decline of cities and regions. For those working in public sector agencies the success or failure of place-based policies is largely attributable to governance arrangements, but for researchers the community that is the subject of this policy eff ort, and its leadership, determines outcomes. This Policy Expo explores the differing perspectives on place-based policy and maps out the essential components of effective and impactful actions by government at the scale of individual places.
Watch as three of the authors, Sarah Ayres, Jiří Blažek and Andrew Beer outline their recommendations for effective place-based policy from their RSA Policy Impact book, Every place matters: towards effective place-based policy.
About the book Every place matters: towards effective place-based policy
“Cohesion policy targets all regions and cities in the European Union in order to promote sustainable growth and job creation and improve the quality of life. It is the EU expression of a place-based policy and the most important investment policy in the EU budget. This Policy Expo examines a range of place-based policies throughout the world, emphasises the specificities vis-à-vis spatially blind policies, and identifies the conditions for success. It is a major contribution to help policy makers and researchers in their design of programmes and policies. This book will provide benefits to all, in particular those living in the regions most affected by economic, social, environmental and demographic change.” – Marc Lemaître, Director-General, DG Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission.
“Every place matters. Economic well-being and social and political progress depend on making the most of the potential of places. This Expo represents the ultimate guide to designing and implementing better and more incisive place based policies for all, wherever you are in the world.” – Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, Professor of Economic Geography, London School of Economics.
Read the Open Access article here – (2020) Towards research impact: using place-based policy to develop new research methods for bridging the academic/policy divide, Regional Studies, Regional Science, 7:1, 431-444.
View the webinar recording featuring the RSA-sponsored Policy Expo book Every place matters: towards effective place-based policy:
- Speaker: Andrew Beer, University of South Australia, Australia
- Speaker/Chair: Fiona McKenzie, Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability, Victorian Government, Australia