Networks, centres and peripheries: Strategic planning in a European state

Article abstract:

The growth of multi-level governance is leading to a reassessment of centre-periphery analysis and the creation of local, regional, national and multinational policy networks, especially as strategic planning gains support from the governments of most European states. After the destruction of most strategic regional planning agencies by British 'New Right' governments, new institutions for regional planning have been established since Labour won office in 1997. These agencies have had to develop over-arching strategies, concordats and policy networks to enable them to work together to achieve common purposes, especially in economic regeneration and developing sustainable communities. In future, such networks may come to be supervised by elected regional assemblies or civil servants who may assume roles akin to those of the French Prefects.