Spatial Justice and Cohesion

<p>Place-based strategies are widely discussed as powerful instruments of economic and community development. In terms of the European debate the local level – cities towns and neighbourhoods – has recently come under increased scrutiny as a potentially decisive actor in Cohesion Policy. As understandings of socio-spatial and economic cohesion evolve the idea that spatial justice requires a concerted policy response has gained currency.</p><p>Given the political social and economic salience of locale this book explores the potential contribution of place-based initiative to more balanced and equitable socio-economic development as well as growth in a more general sense. The overall architecture of the book and the individual chapters address place-based perspectives from a number of vantage points including the potential of achieving greater effectiveness in EU and national level development policies through a greater local level and citizens' role and concrete actions for achieving this; enhancing decision-making autonomy by pooling local capacities for action; linking relative local autonomy to development outcomes and viewing spatial justice as a concept and policy goal. The book highlights through the use of case studies how practicable and actionable knowledge can be gained from local development experiences.</p><p>This book targets researchers practitioners and students who seek to learn more about place-based based development and its potentials. Its cross-cutting focus on spatial justice and place will ensure that the book is of wider international interest.</p><p>The Open Access version of this book available at <a href=http://www.taylorfrancis.com>www.taylorfrancis.com</a> has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license. Funded by The University of Eastern Finland.</p>