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Spaces of Neoliberal Experimentation: Soft Spaces, Postpolitics, and Neoliberal Governmentality

Author

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  • Graham Haughton

    (School of Environment and Development, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, England)

  • Phil Allmendinger

    (Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, 19 Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EP, England)

  • Stijn Oosterlynck

    (Centre on Inequality, Poverty, Social Exclusion and the City, Department of Sociology, Antwerp University, Belgium)

Abstract

This paper examines the proliferation of soft spaces of governance, focusing on planning. We move beyond more functional explanations to explore the politics of soft spaces, more specifically how soft space forms of governance operate as integral to processes of neoliberalisation, highlighting how such state forms facilitate neoliberalisation through their flexibility and variability. Recent state restructuring of the planning sector and emerging trends for soft spaces in England under the Coalition government proposals are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Graham Haughton & Phil Allmendinger & Stijn Oosterlynck, 2013. "Spaces of Neoliberal Experimentation: Soft Spaces, Postpolitics, and Neoliberal Governmentality," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 45(1), pages 217-234, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:45:y:2013:i:1:p:217-234
    DOI: 10.1068/a45121
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    17. Pallagst, Karina, 2022. "Selected cross-border forms of cooperation and INTERREG funding in Europe," Arbeitsberichte der ARL: Aufsätze, in: Pallagst, Karina & Hartz, Andrea & Caesar, Beate (ed.), Border Futures - Zukunft Grenze - Avenir Frontière: The future viability of cross-border cooperation, volume 33, pages 375-383, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
    18. Duncan Adam & Anne E Green, 2016. "Soft spaces and soft outcomes: Experiences from City Strategy on local partnership working and measures of success," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 48(8), pages 1514-1531, August.
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    21. Lee Pugalis & Alan R Townsend, 2013. "Trends in place-based economic strategies: England’s fixation with ‘fleet-of-foot’ partnerships," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 28(7-8), pages 696-717, November.
    22. Thaler, Thomas & Löschner, Lukas & Hartmann, Thomas, 2017. "The introduction of catchment-wide co-operations: Scalar reconstructions and transformation in Austria in flood risk management," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 563-573.
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