ABSTRACT
In the introductory chapter we set out an ambitious challenge. Our argument broadly speaking was that we have begun to see a whole range of new planning spaces emerging which operate in parallel to the formal scales of statutory planning, drawing in new constellations of actors to create spatial strategies that could accompany formal planning strategies. Typically, these new spaces involved the creation of new geographies, sometimes by eschewing existing political boundaries altogether, sometimes creating spaces by blending existing governmental units. These new geographies typically came with new governance arrangements, outside the ballot box in terms of accountability, even though many retained a link to democratic processes through engagement with elected politicians. Such arrangements might operate above or below existing levels of local or regional government, allowing their proponents to claim that they were able to work more creatively at a strategic or operational level, whilst also being presented, rhetorically at least, as complementing rather than competing with the formal strategies drawn up under the aegis of democratically elected bodies.
