What kind of local and regional development and for whom?

Abstract

This paper asks the question what kind of local and regional development and for whom? First, definitions are examined to understand what is meant by local and regional development, to establish its historical context and to explore the ‘where’ of local and regional development in space, territory, place and scale. Second, the nature, character and forms of local and regional development are examined to reveal its different varieties, principles and values in different places and time periods. Third, the objects, subjects and social welfare dimensions are addressed to explain the often socially uneven and geographically differentiated distribution of who and where benefits and loses from particular forms of local and regional development. Last, a holistic, progressive and sustainable version is outlined and reflections offered upon the limits and political renewal of local and regional development. Our argument is, first, that we need to consider the basic principles to get a better analytical purchase on the question of ‘what kind of local and regional development and for whom?’, and, second, locally and regionally determined models of development should not be developed independently of more foundational and universal principles and values such as democracy, equity, internationalism, justice and solidarity. The specific local and regional forms and articulations of such principles and values are normative questions and subject to social determination and political choices in particular national and international contexts.