CONFERENCE: Regional Studies Association International Conference 2012 “Networked regions and cities in times of fragmentation: Developing smart, sustainable and inclusive places”, Delft, 13.-16.05.12

Regional Studies Association International Conference 2012
13 – 16 May 2012 – Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
Networked regions and cities in times of fragmentation: Developing smart, sustainable and inclusive places

Regions and cities are increasingly interdependent; economically, socially and environmentally. They are becoming more reliant on interregional flows of trade, labour and resources. Patterns of interactions between regions are experiencing rapid changes as a result of dramatic shifts in production and consumption patterns, advances in communication technologies and the development of transport infrastructure.
The governance of regions faces multi-level, multi-actor and multi-sectoral challenges. New spatial interactions at new scales demand new approaches for consultation and coordination. More flexible forms of governance are emerging, working around traditional governmental arrangements. The result is a complex pattern of overlapping governance and fuzzy boundaries.

The 2012 RSA conference in Delft provides a timely opportunity for participants to come together and reflect on the various strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities of networked cities and regions within these different contexts of fragmentation.
Gateway Themes:
A. EU Regional policy and practice
B. Climate change, energy and sustainability
C. Migration, housing and labour markets
D. Social and environmental justice and inclusive places
E. Rural and peripheral challenges
F. Territorial cohesion and cooperation
G. City-regions, networks and urban systems
H. Spatial analysis and regional economies
I. Borders, border regions and cross-border learning
J. Industries, entrepreneurship, and regional competitiveness
K. Innovation and knowledge economies
L. Creativity, identities and branding
M. Territorial governance: planning policy and practice
N. Infrastructure and development
O. Local and regional economic development

Speakers:
Karl Peter Schön – Head of the European Spatial and Urban Development Section at the German Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning.
Danuta Hübner – Polish Economist
Andreas Faludi – Chair in Spatial Policy Systems
Javier Sanchez Reaza – Economist at the OECD’s Regional Competitiveness and Governance Division
Catherine L. Ross – Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture – Director Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development (CQGRD).
Peter Hall – Professor of Planning and Regeneration at the Bartlett School of Architecture and Planning, University College London
Bas Verkerk – Knowledge and Innovation of the Rotterdam-The Hague metropolitan area
Joan Fitzgerald – Director of the Law and Public Policy Program at Northeastern University
Liesbet Hooghe – Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Maarten Hajer – Professor of Public Policy at the University of Amsterdam. Director of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency

Academic organisers: Wil Zonneveld: W.A.M.Zonneveld@tudelft.nl, Evert Meijers: E.J.Meijers@tudelft.nl , Dominic Stead: D.Stead@tudelft.nl
RSA organiser: Elizabeth Mitchell: elizabeth.mitchell@regionalstudies.org
For more information: http://www.regionalstudies.org/events/2012/May-Delft/
Skype: regionalstudiesassociation
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