ABSTRACT
The opening chapter provides an overview of the questions to be developed, the research and policy-related background as well as the research perspective elaborated as part of the RELOCAL project. The central ambition of the book is to explore the consequences of privileging place as a locus of wider European cohesion and equitable socio-economic development or spatial justice. In the most ‘radically democratic’ understanding, place-based development involves locally owned and inclusive strategies that employ available resources in novel ways in order to create social and economic opportunities and growth for all members of a given community. Place-based strategies have been discussed as powerful policy tools worldwide and their appeal is grounded in a more holistic and socially aware appreciation of development processes. Moreover, while the place-based paradigm is relatively new, it is clearly linked to more long-standing approaches associated with community development and citizen participation. In terms of European debate, European Union-centred debate more specifically, the local level (cities, towns, neighbourhoods) has recently come under increased scrutiny as a decisive actor in strengthening political and socio-economic cohesion.
