Transition Regions and the Development of the Green Economy
Recent years have seen growing interest by policy makers and academics in the development of the green economy, defined as being “low carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive”. This project will focus upon cities and regions as key locations where transitions towards a green economy are occurring, focusing empirically on case study research in two leading regions (e.gs. Styria, Portland, Boston) and two aspirant regions (e.gs. East of England, Flanders, Öresund/Skåne). However, we have limited understanding of how these developments occur over space, and little purchase on the ways local and regional governments are promoting their green economies. This project will deliver new insights into the processes of transition towards green regional economies, through exploring how regional actors aim to bring about transitions. It will also investigate how the processes of transition affects those places e.g. through widespread adoption of renewable energy and community-based economic initiatives, or the promotion of their regions as green economy exemplars. From an academic perspective, shifts towards a green economy have been explored by research using the conceptual framework of sustainability transitions. However, these largely lack spatial context and fail to capture the evolution and development of networks of institutions, entrepreneurs and innovations into stable forms to challenge and replace existing regimes. The role of purposive actors and institutions is important, not just within the local area, but also to help transcend the city and regional scales. In addition to offering new theoretical insights, the project also aims to provide policy advice and information.
Read more about this research here: https://regions.regionalstudies.org/ezine/article/sustainability-transitions-and-green-regional-economies/
I was very pleased to be awarded a Fellowship Research Grant which allowed me to further develop my research into the green economy and regional development. This has led to opportunities to build links and collaboration with researchers and policy makers across Europe, as well as to network with the wider Regional Studies community. The research itself has led to invitations to present at conferences, publications and also formed a useful pilot study for larger scale research grant applications.