International Planning and Developing Regions
This theme undertakes comparative analysis of varying forms of intervention through spatial planning and territorial management in Europe and developing regions in the world. There is an emphasis on building valid methodology for international case studies, comparison and policy transfer, and in understanding how plans and strategies can tackle urgent problems in international urban development.
We work in three broad geographical regions: Europe, South-East Asia and Latin America. The theme develops comparative methodologies and understanding of the varying cultural contexts for urban development and spatial planning. We are also extending our research in territorial governance and planning tools in the more testing conditions of developing regions including the relation in terms of democracy and the struggle for rights, social justice and participatory planning.
Research questions:
- How are approaches and tools changing to deal with critical territorial challenges, particularly risks associated with climate change, the spatial dimension of the knowledge economy and the networked metropolitan region?
- To what degree are approaches converging or diverging?
- How well do spatial planning concepts travel, and to what extent are they culturally-bound?
- How can integrated territorial management be achieved under the urgent and challenging conditions of developing regions where there is rapid urbanisation, weak governance and informal urban development?
Would you like to know more about this research theme or discuss the possibilities for cooperation? Please contact the research leaders:
Dr. A.M. Fernández Maldonado
Dr. D. Stead