{"id":145,"date":"2023-04-20T14:25:38","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T14:25:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/stats1\/?page_id=145"},"modified":"2026-02-14T10:54:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T10:54:38","slug":"place","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/place\/","title":{"rendered":"Politics of Place: Regional and Local Development"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(u002du002dwpu002du002dcustomu002du002dspacingu002du002dlarge, 8rem);padding-bottom:var(u002du002dwpu002du002dcustomu002du002dspacingu002du002dlarge, 8rem)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Politics of Place: Regional and Local Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<nav class=\"is-responsive items-justified-center wp-block-navigation is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Header navigation\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.5\" width=\"16\" height=\"1.5\" \/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"15\" width=\"16\" height=\"1.5\" \/><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\"  id=\"modal-1\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-async--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\"\n\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"-1\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-1-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive items-justified-center wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-home-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-home-link__content wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\" rel=\"home\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/news\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">News<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/networks\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Networks<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/projects\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Projects<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on-async--mouseenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on-async--mouseleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/annual-symposium\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Annual Symposium<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Annual Symposium submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on-async--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/2026-symposium-state-of-neoliberal-authoritarianism\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">2026 Symposium: State of Neoliberal Authoritarianism<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/critical-studies-of-power-politics-and-governing\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">2025 Symposium: Critical studies of Power, Politics, and Governing<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/critical-studies-of-power-and-the-political-practical-information\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Practical information: travels, accommodation and participation<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on-async--mouseenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on-async--mouseleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/phd-courses\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">PhD-courses<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"PhD-courses submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on-async--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/what-is-the-problem-represented-to-be-critical-policy-analysis-in-theory-and-practice\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">What is the Problem Represented to be?\u00a0\u2013 Critical Policy Analysis in Theory and Practice<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/critical-studies-of-power-politics-and-governing-anti-foundational-analysis\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Critical studies of power, politics and governing \u2013 Anti-essentialist analysis<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/calendar-events\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Calendarium<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/about-us-contact\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">About us\/Contact<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/865\/2023\/02\/Sk\u00e4rmavbild-2023-02-22-kl.-11.41.26-808x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-68\" style=\"width:1000px;height:auto\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Abstract<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this research theme we approach the dynamic and paradoxical field of regional and local development with the aim to contribute theoretically and empirically with studies of <em>the politics of place<\/em>. We focus our analytical attention to the role of imaginaries, problematizations, rationalities, discourses, technologies, and processes of subjectification in spatial planning and governing. We engage critically with contemporary processes of (re)production and transformation connected to spatial \u2018development and progress\u2019. We scrutinize regional and local development policy and governing regimes from perspectives of democratic legitimacy and equality. We map, articulate, and give voice to the lived effects of the conditions, challenges and solutions that structure the field of regional and local development.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The policy field of regional and local development finds itself in a nexus of dire political tensions, but it is at the same time characterized by relatively low degrees of politicization and ideological contestation. As the state is restructuring and transforming in reaction to the perceptions of a globalizing economy and the emergence of transnational political institutions, the challenges for regional and local development are mounting. Increasing disparities in living conditions between and within regions, increasing inequality between and within the urban and the rural, the struggle to maintain equal welfare and services, growing geographies of discontent and marginalization, the increasing responsibilization of places and transformations into sustainable social, economic, and ecologic systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These already messy challenges are caught in complex dynamics between the local and the global, the public and the private, industrialization and deindustrialization, equality and competition, innovation and tradition. And yet, the policy field is marked by a notable lack of attention in political debates and a notable ideological consensus culture. This makes regional and local development a critical field to explore aspects of space, scale, depoliticization, equality and marketization related to power, politics and governing. Within this theme we are currently working with four research topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>The neoliberalization of space. <\/strong><\/em>We&nbsp; study how neoliberal rationalities and imaginaries of globalized competitive space shape practices and policy work. We study the legitimization, deployment and effects of governing technologies connected to competitiveness, attractiveness and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Left behind places.<\/strong> <\/em>We study spatial inequality and disparities as conceptualized through social and relational perspectives with the purpose to better understand the rationalities and lived effects of spatial exclusion and marginalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Policy mobility.<\/em> <\/strong>We study how policy on regional and local development moves and&nbsp; the premises of&nbsp; knowledge creation and deployment of policy programs and strategies in the field. What actors are given legitimacy to introduce, install and mobilize knowledge?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Societal transformation<\/strong><\/em> We study how regional and local planning is activated in large scale transformation efforts. Particularly, we focus on how power relations are reproduced and contested in planning practices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-f8378fdbabd8777c803447c33f25b833 is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(u002du002dwpu002du002dcustomu002du002dspacingu002du002dlarge, 8rem);padding-bottom:var(u002du002dwpu002du002dcustomu002du002dspacingu002du002dlarge, 8rem)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-center\" style=\"margin-bottom:2rem;font-size:clamp(3.25rem, 8vw, 6.25rem);line-height:1.15\"><em>relevant publication<\/em>s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitander, T. &amp; \u00d6jehag-Petterson, A. (2026). Where is the Problem Represented to Be? in R\u00f6nnblom &amp; Edwards (eds.) <em>Innovations in Critical Policy Analysis &#8211; What&#8217;s the Problem Represented to Be?<\/em>  Policy Press<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Mitander, T. (2024). Undoing the Regional Demos? Gender Equality and Economic Growth in Regional Development.\u00a0<em>NORA &#8211; Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research<\/em>, 0(0), 1\u201313. doi:<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/08038740.2023.2201474\">10.1080\/08038740.2023.2201474<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2022). Making space for competition: The rationalities of contemporary regional development. <em>Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space<\/em>, 23996544211067813.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Johansson, J., R\u00f6nnblom, M., &amp; \u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2021). Democratic Institutions Without Democratic Content?-New Regionalism and Democratic Backsliding in Regional Reforms in Sweden. <em>Frontiers in Political Science<\/em>, <em>3<\/em>, 711185.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2020). Measuring innovation space: numerical devices as governmental technologies. <em>Territory, Politics, Governance<\/em>, <em>8<\/em>(5), 621-638.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A., &amp; Mitander, T. (2020). <em>Traveling Expertise and Regional Development<\/em>. Routledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Str\u00f8mme, C. B., &amp; Mitander, S. H. C. O. T. (2020). SKOGEN SOM RESURS I EN GR\u00c4NSREGION. <em>SKOGEN SOM RESURS I EN GR\u00c4NSREGION<\/em>, 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitander, T., S\u00e4ll, L., &amp; \u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2017). Det urbana rummets in-och utsidor. Teoretiska utmaningar f\u00f6r forskning om urban politik. <em>Statsvetenskaplig tidskrift<\/em>, <em>119<\/em>(3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2017). Working for change: projectified politics and gender equality. <em>NORA-Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research<\/em>, <em>25<\/em>(3), 163-178.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sandberg, L., &amp; R\u00f6nnblom, M. (2016). Imagining the ideal city, planning the gender-equal city in Ume\u00e5, Sweden. <em>Gender, Place &amp; Culture<\/em>, <em>23<\/em>(12), 1750-1762.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sandberg, L., &amp; R\u00f6nnblom, M. (2016). Planning the new city-emotional reaction and positions. <em>Emotion, Space and Society<\/em>, <em>21<\/em>, 50-57.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitander, T. (2015). <em>Regio ex machina: Om det regionala medborgarskapets villkor<\/em> (Doctoral&nbsp;dissertation, Karlstads universitet).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2015). <em>Space craft: Globalization and governmentality in regional&nbsp;development<\/em> (Doctoral dissertation, Karlstads universitet).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitander, T., S\u00e4ll, L., &amp; \u00d6jehag-Pettersson, A. (2013). <em>Det regionala samh\u00e4llsbyggandets praktiker: tiden, makten, rummet<\/em>. Daidalos.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Politics of Place: Regional and Local Development Abstract In this research theme we approach the dynamic and paradoxical field of regional and local development with the aim to contribute theoretically and empirically with studies of the politics of place. We focus our analytical attention to the role of imaginaries, problematizations, rationalities, discourses, technologies, and processes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":165,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-145","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/165"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=145"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":572,"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145\/revisions\/572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sola.kau.se\/ppg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}