ABSTRACT
As noted in Chapter 4, political factors and the degree of autonomy over strategic decision making can be significant in regional development. Three ‘countries’ in the UK have historically enjoyed more autonomy than their counterpart English regions. This chapter focuses on the context and systems for regional planning and development in the three countries of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It seeks to draw out themes and innovations in their particular practices, drawing comparisons both between them, and with them and the English regions.
