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Anchoring the social economy at the metropolitan scale: Findings from the Liverpool City Region

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew Thompson

    (University of Liverpool, UK)

  • Alan Southern

    (University of Liverpool, UK)

  • Helen Heap

    (University of Liverpool, UK)

Abstract

This article revisits debates on the contribution of the social economy to urban economic development, specifically focusing on the scale of the city region. It presents a novel tripartite definition – empirical, essentialist, holistic – as a useful frame for future research into urban social economies. Findings from an in-depth case study of the scale, scope and value of the Liverpool City Region’s social economy are presented through this framing. This research suggests that the social economy has the potential to build a workable alternative to neoliberal economic development if given sufficient tailored institutional support and if seen as a holistic integrated city-regional system, with anchor institutions and community anchor organisations playing key roles.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Thompson & Alan Southern & Helen Heap, 2022. "Anchoring the social economy at the metropolitan scale: Findings from the Liverpool City Region," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 59(4), pages 675-697, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:59:y:2022:i:4:p:675-697
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098020972654
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Goddard & Mike Coombes & Louise Kempton & Paul Vallance, 2014. "Universities as anchor institutions in cities in a turbulent funding environment: vulnerable institutions and vulnerable places in England," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 7(2), pages 307-325.
    2. Matthew Thompson & Vicky Nowak & Alan Southern & Jackie Davies & Peter Furmedge, 2020. "Re-grounding the city with Polanyi: From urban entrepreneurialism to entrepreneurial municipalism," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 52(6), pages 1171-1194, September.
    3. Adalbert Evers & Jean-Louis Laville, 2004. "Defining the third sector in Europe," Chapters, in: Adalbert Evers & Jean-Louis Laville (ed.), The Third Sector in Europe, chapter 1, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    4. Lorena F. Axinte & Abid Mehmood & Terry Marsden & Dirk Roep, 2019. "Regenerative city-regions: a new conceptual framework," Regional Studies, Regional Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 117-129, January.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Billy Southern, 2023. "The impact of a rail network on socioeconomic inclusion: A ward-level analysis of Liverpool," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 38(3), pages 199-225, May.
    2. Morag E Redwood & Anne MJ Smith & Artur Steiner & Geoff Whittam, 2022. "Community wealth building or local authority rhetoric?," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 37(7), pages 602-621, November.
    3. Laura Roth & Bertie Russell & Matthew Thompson, 2023. "Politicising proximity: Radical municipalism as a strategy in crisis," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 60(11), pages 2009-2035, August.
    4. Mercè Roca & Marta Segura & Jordi Puig & Susana Martín Belmonte, 2024. "The local multiplier of income support paid in a complementary currency: Comparative evaluation in the city of Barcelona," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 61(1), pages 95-111, January.

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