The new draft PPS4 exudes the desperation born of a harsh economic climate and appears to invite short-term fixes rather than long-term sustainable growth, say Lee Pugalis and Glenn Martin
In her foreword Margaret Beckett, then Minister for Housing and Planning, argued that ‘for the first time, this comprehensive new draft statement brings together in one place all of the Government’s key planning policies relating to the economy and streamlines and simplifies policy to focus on what is important to allow the economy to grow in a sustainable manner’. But if we scratch under the surface, does the revised draft lives up to its own hype, or is there a cost to Planning for Prosperous Economies?
2010 Can LEPs fill the strategic void? - pugalis and townsendLee Pugalis
For the first time since 1947, England is without a recognised strategic planning framework following the revocation of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs). Articles in the June and July/August issues of this journal have variously criticised the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government for opening up a ‘NIMBY charter’ and inviting ‘chaos’ through an ‘act now, think later’ policy approach of ‘rampaging through the English planning system’. By removing the layer of strategic planning in one fell swoop, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has left the planning fraternity to muddle through the mess. It is not our intent to retrace these arguments here. Instead we look, through a pragmatic lens, at the Coalition’s new policy innovation – the Local Enterprise Partnership – and consider how far this may go to filling the strategic void. We argue that there is a strong case for ‘the suggestion that Local Enterprise Partnerships may fulfil a planning function’, as currently being examined by the Communities and Local Government Committee (CLG) Inquiry into the Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies. However, as we sketch out a role for planning in the Government’s economic transition plan, we draw attention to several potential pitfalls along the way.
This presentation offers a public policy approach to integral regional development based on the authors experience from the Mexican federal government and OECD.
What is regional development policy for and how does it workOECD Governance
Presentation made at the 4th International Conference on Overcoming Regional Disparities held in Chisinau, Romania on 21-22 May 2014, by William Tompson, Head, Urban Policy, Regional Development Policy Division, OECD.
Relationship between Rural Development and Migration in Turkeyinventionjournals
ABSTRACT: The definition of rural development is regarded as growth of a rural region with respect to economical, social and cultural sides. It can be clearly seen that it is not integrated part of development with respect to economic, social and cultural aspect. 5 years development plans which launched in 1960’s have been implemented up to now. Also, in addition to that, in the regions having GDP per capita less than 75% of EU average, rural development projects and regional development projects have been implemented for stopping or alleviating the migration from underdeveloped regions, Eastern Anatolia, South Eastern Anatolia, Northern Black sea to the western part of Turkey, creating new job opportunities, facilitating the investments made for education, health and infrastructure. When analysed the main structure of the migration theme, it is not out of the question to clearly see the political side behind economic side of it. The migration has increased since 1980’s. The migrated people were those who have to deal with main agricultural products and animal husbandry. In rural areas, life expectancy, GDP per capita, social environment, unemployment level must be considered to stop migration from those places to urban areas. The aim of this study is to find out the reasons which result from migration and that have some assumption for how EU rural development funds will lessen the out-migration from villages to districts and cities after being taken into account of all aspects of the situation.
2010 Can LEPs fill the strategic void? - pugalis and townsendLee Pugalis
For the first time since 1947, England is without a recognised strategic planning framework following the revocation of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs). Articles in the June and July/August issues of this journal have variously criticised the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government for opening up a ‘NIMBY charter’ and inviting ‘chaos’ through an ‘act now, think later’ policy approach of ‘rampaging through the English planning system’. By removing the layer of strategic planning in one fell swoop, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has left the planning fraternity to muddle through the mess. It is not our intent to retrace these arguments here. Instead we look, through a pragmatic lens, at the Coalition’s new policy innovation – the Local Enterprise Partnership – and consider how far this may go to filling the strategic void. We argue that there is a strong case for ‘the suggestion that Local Enterprise Partnerships may fulfil a planning function’, as currently being examined by the Communities and Local Government Committee (CLG) Inquiry into the Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies. However, as we sketch out a role for planning in the Government’s economic transition plan, we draw attention to several potential pitfalls along the way.
This presentation offers a public policy approach to integral regional development based on the authors experience from the Mexican federal government and OECD.
What is regional development policy for and how does it workOECD Governance
Presentation made at the 4th International Conference on Overcoming Regional Disparities held in Chisinau, Romania on 21-22 May 2014, by William Tompson, Head, Urban Policy, Regional Development Policy Division, OECD.
Relationship between Rural Development and Migration in Turkeyinventionjournals
ABSTRACT: The definition of rural development is regarded as growth of a rural region with respect to economical, social and cultural sides. It can be clearly seen that it is not integrated part of development with respect to economic, social and cultural aspect. 5 years development plans which launched in 1960’s have been implemented up to now. Also, in addition to that, in the regions having GDP per capita less than 75% of EU average, rural development projects and regional development projects have been implemented for stopping or alleviating the migration from underdeveloped regions, Eastern Anatolia, South Eastern Anatolia, Northern Black sea to the western part of Turkey, creating new job opportunities, facilitating the investments made for education, health and infrastructure. When analysed the main structure of the migration theme, it is not out of the question to clearly see the political side behind economic side of it. The migration has increased since 1980’s. The migrated people were those who have to deal with main agricultural products and animal husbandry. In rural areas, life expectancy, GDP per capita, social environment, unemployment level must be considered to stop migration from those places to urban areas. The aim of this study is to find out the reasons which result from migration and that have some assumption for how EU rural development funds will lessen the out-migration from villages to districts and cities after being taken into account of all aspects of the situation.
Cyclical Investing.
1. Identifying the Cycle
• Determine the market cycle using Coincide CMV
• Market Cycles are Key to Investment Strategy Success
2. Asset Class Selection
• Identification of the asset classes that will perform the best at a point in the cycle.
3. Determine Investment strategy
• Formulate and enable the investment strategy based on the cycle indicators
• Current investment universe is large cap Australian equities, considered leverage and risk management techniques.
4. Manage the strategy to create returns:
• Considered leverage particularly for new investors then leverage up on capital gains.
• Manage investment risk using futures and options
• De-risk client portfolios by paying back part of the initial capital along the way (4-5 years). This frees up the original capital to allocate to other asset classes whilst maintaining original invested capital in Australian equities.
Where Do We Go From Here? Advocacy for Research After the ElectionResearch!America
Research!America President Mary Woolley's presentation at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities' Annual Meeting, "Where Do We Go From Here? Advocacy for Research After the Election," November 10, 2008.
2008 a framework for regeneration more questions than answers - pugalisLee Pugalis
A recent consultation report from the Department of Communities and Local Government which goes by the rhetorical title of, Transforming places; changing lives A framework for regeneration, goes some way to laying the groundwork for proposals first set out in the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR). The framework proclaims to set out ‘an ambitious package of proposals – for consultation – that aim to shape the way that regeneration is carried out in future in England’. Yet upon reading the report’s 159 pages one is left with a strange feeling of déjà vu. This is followed by a suspicion that much of what Government are suggesting is already a done deal; with many economic development officers and policy-makers already busy working on the package of proposals. I shall briefly summarise the key measures of the framework before questioning the timing of this consultation in light of the determination of regional funding allocations.
Pugalis, L. (2008) 'A framework for regeneration: more questions than answers', The Journal of the Institution of Economic Development, (106), pp. 7.
2009 SNR a story of compromise - pugalisLee Pugalis
The eagerly anticipated Government response to the Treasury instigated Review of sub-national economic development and regeneration (July 2007), was published on 25 November 2008 after taking stock of the 500 plus consultation responses. Building on my critique of the Department of Communities and Local Government’s publication: Transforming places; changing lives A framework for regeneration (July 2008) in the previous edition of this journal, I use the space here to cogently review how Government will take forward and implement its sub-national review of economic development and regeneration (SNR).
Pugalis, L. (2009) 'SNR – a story of compromise', Economic Development, 107, pp. 6-7.
2012 The governance of economic regeneration in England: Emerging practice an...Lee Pugalis
Abstract
How spatial economies are governed across the different places of England recently (re)commenced a process of fervent renegotiation following the 2010 election of a coalition government. As the third paper in a series examining state-led restructuring of sub-national development, the principal concern and analytical focus of this paper is the evolving governance landscape. Based on a review of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the state reterritorialisation strategy is explored. Analysing the motives, interests, attributes and accountability of some primary actors entangled in these new and recast multilevel governance networks, the paper directs some much needed critical attention towards ‘the who’ aspects of economic regeneration partnership working. The paper argues that if LEPs are to be understood as a radical departure from what has gone before, then the form and mode of governance must, in turn, undergo a radical transformation of substance that transcends symbolic politics.
Pugalis, L. (2012) 'The governance of economic regeneration in England: Emerging practice and issues', Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 5 (3).
Community-led regeneration is a laudable ideal, but unless the means of enabling the regeneration of distressed communities are put in place, many could be left facing further degeneration, deprivation and destitution
Sub-national economic development: Where do we go from here? Pugalis 2011Lee Pugalis
The UK’s Liberal Democrat–Conservative (Lib–Con) Coalition Government has been quickly dismantling New Labour’s policy framework since it gained political control in May 2010. Contemplating how this transition might play out and the impact upon regeneration policy, a preliminary map of the road from the incumbent English Regional Development Agencies to myriad Local Enterprise Partnerships is sketched out. The analytic interpretations are based on insights ‘in the field’ over the past decade and grounded in policy ‘chatter’. Reflecting on the importance of timing, resource availability and the policy vacuum arising between localities and national government, attention is drawn to countless questions that remain unanswered. Further, the Lib–Con’s sub-national economic policy architecture is demonstrated as remaining very much work in progress. The paper highlights that the current transitional period is likely to be disorderly and possibly ineffective: deconstruction is all well and good if the alternative reconstructions offer added value, but the potential to lose out is significant. While hope is expressed with a localism agenda which could potentially empower localities to devise unique policy solutions administered by tailored spatial configurations, it is cautioned that new spatio-institutional ‘fixes’ may open up new issues just as old ones are closed off. A policy story still being written, the analysis is of broader international appeal. Consequently, those plying their trade outside England can reflect on this and act accordingly the next time a new (and presumably better) policy innovation is proposed
This article reviews the current condition of regeneration policy in England – set against to the views of the Select Committee, those submitting evidence to it, the Government’s response to its findings, and comparison with the Scottish Government’s new regeneration strategy, set out in Achieving a Sustainable Future3 – and considers whether it is fit for purposej
Abstract
State-led restructuring of sub-national economic governance and regeneration has been rapidly evolving over the past year or so across England. With several waves of cross-boundary Local Enterprise Partnerships approved by the UK Government, it is opportune to take stock of some of the more notable shifts. Building on a preliminary analytical mapping of the rocky road from regionalism to sub-regional localism, the paper pays particular attention to the politicised process underpinning the alliances, and crafting, development and subsequent submission of LEP proposals, as well as the eventual assessment and state sanctioning of LEP bids. Examining the process from a variety of perspectives, the paper highlights unequal power relations and extracts a number of powerful policy considerations. The paper propounds the argument that the rhetoric of permissive policy masks centralist controlling tendencies and unwritten rules.
Pugalis, L. (2011) 'Look before you LEP', Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 5 (1), 7-22.
Cyclical Investing.
1. Identifying the Cycle
• Determine the market cycle using Coincide CMV
• Market Cycles are Key to Investment Strategy Success
2. Asset Class Selection
• Identification of the asset classes that will perform the best at a point in the cycle.
3. Determine Investment strategy
• Formulate and enable the investment strategy based on the cycle indicators
• Current investment universe is large cap Australian equities, considered leverage and risk management techniques.
4. Manage the strategy to create returns:
• Considered leverage particularly for new investors then leverage up on capital gains.
• Manage investment risk using futures and options
• De-risk client portfolios by paying back part of the initial capital along the way (4-5 years). This frees up the original capital to allocate to other asset classes whilst maintaining original invested capital in Australian equities.
Where Do We Go From Here? Advocacy for Research After the ElectionResearch!America
Research!America President Mary Woolley's presentation at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities' Annual Meeting, "Where Do We Go From Here? Advocacy for Research After the Election," November 10, 2008.
2008 a framework for regeneration more questions than answers - pugalisLee Pugalis
A recent consultation report from the Department of Communities and Local Government which goes by the rhetorical title of, Transforming places; changing lives A framework for regeneration, goes some way to laying the groundwork for proposals first set out in the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR). The framework proclaims to set out ‘an ambitious package of proposals – for consultation – that aim to shape the way that regeneration is carried out in future in England’. Yet upon reading the report’s 159 pages one is left with a strange feeling of déjà vu. This is followed by a suspicion that much of what Government are suggesting is already a done deal; with many economic development officers and policy-makers already busy working on the package of proposals. I shall briefly summarise the key measures of the framework before questioning the timing of this consultation in light of the determination of regional funding allocations.
Pugalis, L. (2008) 'A framework for regeneration: more questions than answers', The Journal of the Institution of Economic Development, (106), pp. 7.
2009 SNR a story of compromise - pugalisLee Pugalis
The eagerly anticipated Government response to the Treasury instigated Review of sub-national economic development and regeneration (July 2007), was published on 25 November 2008 after taking stock of the 500 plus consultation responses. Building on my critique of the Department of Communities and Local Government’s publication: Transforming places; changing lives A framework for regeneration (July 2008) in the previous edition of this journal, I use the space here to cogently review how Government will take forward and implement its sub-national review of economic development and regeneration (SNR).
Pugalis, L. (2009) 'SNR – a story of compromise', Economic Development, 107, pp. 6-7.
2012 The governance of economic regeneration in England: Emerging practice an...Lee Pugalis
Abstract
How spatial economies are governed across the different places of England recently (re)commenced a process of fervent renegotiation following the 2010 election of a coalition government. As the third paper in a series examining state-led restructuring of sub-national development, the principal concern and analytical focus of this paper is the evolving governance landscape. Based on a review of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the state reterritorialisation strategy is explored. Analysing the motives, interests, attributes and accountability of some primary actors entangled in these new and recast multilevel governance networks, the paper directs some much needed critical attention towards ‘the who’ aspects of economic regeneration partnership working. The paper argues that if LEPs are to be understood as a radical departure from what has gone before, then the form and mode of governance must, in turn, undergo a radical transformation of substance that transcends symbolic politics.
Pugalis, L. (2012) 'The governance of economic regeneration in England: Emerging practice and issues', Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 5 (3).
Community-led regeneration is a laudable ideal, but unless the means of enabling the regeneration of distressed communities are put in place, many could be left facing further degeneration, deprivation and destitution
Sub-national economic development: Where do we go from here? Pugalis 2011Lee Pugalis
The UK’s Liberal Democrat–Conservative (Lib–Con) Coalition Government has been quickly dismantling New Labour’s policy framework since it gained political control in May 2010. Contemplating how this transition might play out and the impact upon regeneration policy, a preliminary map of the road from the incumbent English Regional Development Agencies to myriad Local Enterprise Partnerships is sketched out. The analytic interpretations are based on insights ‘in the field’ over the past decade and grounded in policy ‘chatter’. Reflecting on the importance of timing, resource availability and the policy vacuum arising between localities and national government, attention is drawn to countless questions that remain unanswered. Further, the Lib–Con’s sub-national economic policy architecture is demonstrated as remaining very much work in progress. The paper highlights that the current transitional period is likely to be disorderly and possibly ineffective: deconstruction is all well and good if the alternative reconstructions offer added value, but the potential to lose out is significant. While hope is expressed with a localism agenda which could potentially empower localities to devise unique policy solutions administered by tailored spatial configurations, it is cautioned that new spatio-institutional ‘fixes’ may open up new issues just as old ones are closed off. A policy story still being written, the analysis is of broader international appeal. Consequently, those plying their trade outside England can reflect on this and act accordingly the next time a new (and presumably better) policy innovation is proposed
This article reviews the current condition of regeneration policy in England – set against to the views of the Select Committee, those submitting evidence to it, the Government’s response to its findings, and comparison with the Scottish Government’s new regeneration strategy, set out in Achieving a Sustainable Future3 – and considers whether it is fit for purposej
Abstract
State-led restructuring of sub-national economic governance and regeneration has been rapidly evolving over the past year or so across England. With several waves of cross-boundary Local Enterprise Partnerships approved by the UK Government, it is opportune to take stock of some of the more notable shifts. Building on a preliminary analytical mapping of the rocky road from regionalism to sub-regional localism, the paper pays particular attention to the politicised process underpinning the alliances, and crafting, development and subsequent submission of LEP proposals, as well as the eventual assessment and state sanctioning of LEP bids. Examining the process from a variety of perspectives, the paper highlights unequal power relations and extracts a number of powerful policy considerations. The paper propounds the argument that the rhetoric of permissive policy masks centralist controlling tendencies and unwritten rules.
Pugalis, L. (2011) 'Look before you LEP', Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 5 (1), 7-22.
BIS LEPs and RGF inquiry pugalis bentley gibbons shuttLee Pugalis
The evidence summarised in this submission is based on the national research project: From Regionalism to Localism: Cross Country LEPs. The aim of this research is to monitor what steps are being taken by LEPs to support businesses to create jobs and support the development of local economies. The research explores the issues arising from the formation of the LEPs over their first three years, 2010-2013 and is monitoring the journey of the LEPs nationally. LEPs are the chief vehicle for economic development within the context of localism but are delivering national level initiatives, such as Enterprise Zones. Indeed, they have been set a considerable challenge – uniting business, public and community interests in a way that enables the economic regeneration and growth of local places. The research drills-down to focus on four particular ‘regions’: the North East; Yorkshire and the Humber; the West Midlands and the South West. Some of the project team’s initial and emerging research outputs are appended to this submission.
New directions in economic development localism act bentley and pugalisLee Pugalis
Since entering office in 2010, a distinct grammar of localism has pervaded the UK Government’s philosophical outlook, which has inflected localist policy discourses and practice. Now that the Coalition administration’s ‘local’ economic development policy is becoming a little clearer, it is timely to consider the implications of this new grammar for the scope, organisation and mobilisation of economic development interventions. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to trace new and emergent directions in economic development through a focus on the 2011 Localism Act, which applies to England and Wales. The paper interprets these changes through a localist conceptual prism, which helps to refract different varieties of localism. The findings raise some serious concerns regarding localism in action and expose the controlling tendencies of central government. Analysis is also directed towards the uneasy relationship between centralised powers, conditional decentralisation and fragmented localism. Nevertheless, some cases of emergent practice are utilised to demonstrate how ‘constrained freedoms’ can be negotiated to undertake innovative actions. The paper concludes by suggesting some foundational elements that would support the notion of ‘empowered localities’ and may also secure the government’s imperative to enable private sector-led growth.
Key words
2011 Localism Act, local economic development, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Economic Prosperity Boards, Combined Authorities
Bentley, G. & Pugalis, L. (2013) 'New directions in economic development: localist policy discourses and the Localism Act', Local Economy
2012 After Regions: what next for LEPs - Pugalis and ShuttLee Pugalis
Standing out as an oddity in comparison to the convergence of policy across EU nations whereby the merits of regional apparatus – however defined – for administering development support appear to be accepted, the UK Government has abandoned England’s experiment with regionalism. Under the banner of localism, providing the thinnest of masks for swingeing public expenditure cuts, sub-national development activity (encompassing planning, regeneration, infrastructure development, enterprise support and spatial leadership) is in the throes of considerable economic shifts, policy flux and institutional upheaval (Ward & Hardy, 2012).
This article attempts to address some of the questions posed in The regional lacuna: a preliminary map of the transition from Regional Development Agencies to Local Economic Partnerships (Pugalis, 2011) and helps to advance some of the points relating to the emerging sub-national development landscape published in recent issues of Regions (e.g. Bailey, 2011). The purpose is to take stock of policy developments underway by means of a post-regional sub-national review in order to outline the future development trajectory of Local Enterprise Partnerships.
2009 The culture and economics of urban public space design public and profes...Lee Pugalis
Urban public space is once again a ‘hot’ topic and figures strongly in place quality discourse. City spaces are being recycled, reinterpreted and reinvented in a drive for a competitive quality of place. This paper illustrates the changing face of contemporary UK public space through a qualitative analysis of the perceptions held by public and professional-bureaucratic actors. Drawing on empirical case study research of five recent enhancement schemes at prominent nodes throughout the North East of England, the research explores the culture and economics of urban public space design. Some tentative observations are expressed in terms of the links between cultural activity and economic vitality, and some reflections on policy and practice are put forward.
Key words: urban public space, cultural vitality, economic activity, place quality
Pugalis, L. (2009) 'The culture and economics of urban public space design: public and professional perceptions', Urban Design International, 14 (4), pp. 215-230.
The dreaded phrase; the ‘credit crunch’ has infiltrated vernacular speak. For one who is charged with the (unenviable) remit of managing a rapidly contracting local economy in the North East of England, this only became apparent when a young relative of mine, not long out of nappies, told me that she was not allowed a new toy, and was thus saving her “pennies, because of the credit crunch”. The crunch has transformed into an economic recession that is real: affecting you, me and even my younger cousin Hannah. What began as a banking crisis during the summer of 2007 following the collapse of the US sub-prime mortgage market has subsequently led to an international tightening of fiscal transfers and a lack of confidence in global stock markets. In autumn 2008, the strength of the financial system was tested further with a severe collapse of confidence. Only massive liquidity support by central banks and rescue packages engaged by national and supranational governments have (so far) staved off a systemic financial meltdown. Consequently, what started as a crisis in the financial sector continues to affect the ‘real’ everyday economy. Initial projections that financial capitals, such as London, would feel the brunt and peripheral towns and cities, such as Durham, with less employees in the banking sector would be sheltered are now proving way off mark.
As practitioners, policy-makers and politicians continue to operate in such fragile economic conditions, questions are being asked in relation to responding to the crunch and planning for the upturn. Indeed, a Government colleague contacted me at work the other day in a rush to gather some intelligence on ‘what local authorities are doing to respond to the recession’. Apparently, a Minister had been getting ‘quite vocal that he isn’t hearing about what local authorities are doing and so we’re compiling evidence of what we are doing to help people at the current time’. So in addition to supplying information about what I was doing on behalf of Durham County Council and the County Durham Economic Partnership, I decided to initiate a fact finding mission of what others are doing within the North East and further afield.
2009 cultural animation and economic vitality identifying the links and reg...Lee Pugalis
Culture, space and economy are intermeshed in complex ways. This paper reports on findings from a larger empirical research project commissioned to investigate the symbiotic relationship between culturally animated urban street scenes and economic vitality. Grounded in empirical qualitative research focussing on recent place quality enhancement schemes in the North East of England, the central aim of this paper is to make the case that everyday cultural activity and economically vibrant places can go hand-in-hand. The research did not seek to quantify economic benefits of investments in the cultural animation of urban space, but interpretive analysis suggests that place quality regeneration strategies can enhance the economic performance and vitality of places. Based on the argument that cultural production of space and economic development are not, and therefore should not be viewed as, competing objectives, the paper puts forward a range of good practice pointers for policymakers and practitioners embarking on place quality enhancement schemes.
Key words: street scene, cultural animation, economic vitality, place quality, public space and urban regeneration
2008 regeneration through place quality the case of seven stories - pugalisLee Pugalis
Through the case of a flagship place quality development; Seven Stories in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley, the only physical centre for children’s literature in the UK and one of only a handful of such cultural spaces worldwide, this paper reports on its wider regenerative capacity. The Seven Stories redevelopment is a juxtaposition of careful refurbishment and novel contemporary design that has generated a ‘glocal designscape’ with the intention of creating a ‘tourist space’ to anchor the economic regeneration of East Newcastle. The case is made that isolated place quality enhancements are insufficient to regenerate wider areas and may result in diminishing returns as the initial ‘wow’ factor dissipates, but nevertheless they can constitute vital pieces of a more holistic regeneration jigsaw.
Pugalis, L. (2008) 'Regeneration through place quality: the case of Seven Stories - The Centre for Children's Books', Urban Research & Practice, 1 (3), pp. 324-328.
2009 a conceptual and analytical framework for interpreting the spatiality ...Lee Pugalis
This paper provides a framework for understanding the phenomenon of the discursive-material production of space, and also, for considering how unknowns may be organised. Language is instrumental to the production of place but has been overshadowed by investigations of material transformations. This is partly being redressed by the ‘linguistic turn’ in urban policy analysis over recent decades which recognise the performative aspects of language. However, the methodological ‘gap’ between discursivities and materialities remains as too often analysis of urban policy discourse has taken an aspatial analytic approach. Representations of space cannot be divorced from spatial practices and vice versa. Based on my premise that many visions, plans and strategies never materialise, and even some that do materialise have little bearing on what is produced, a mixed-method approach is required that considers the recursive interactions between spatial practices and representations of space. Grounded in the theories of Henri Lefebvre and Michel Foucault, which conceptualis space as a social process and broaden discourse to embrace spatial practice respectively, I devise a conceptual and operational analytics which I refer to as interpretive-spatial analysis with the goal of helping to bridge the problematic ontological, epistemological and methodological divide between discursivities and materialities.
2011 network interference - pugalis and gibbonsLee Pugalis
September 2011 saw the inaugural meeting of the government-backed national network for local enterprise partnerships. Lee Pugalis and Lorna Gibbons ask: how does a ‘top-down’ network support ‘bottom-up’ LEPs?
2010 its all about place shaping - pugalisLee Pugalis
Place shaping has now entered the everyday vocabulary of built environment professions, academics and the public sector at large. This struck me when leafing through the job vacancies in a well known British regeneration industry publication as I happened to notice an advert for what appeared to be an innovative and exciting new spatial development role: Head of Place Shaping. I was curious about this role, particularly as I had just advertised for an economic development officer with a background in or enthusiasm for ‘place shaping’, so I started to investigate a little further.
2010 The incremental renaissance of the historic city of durhamLee Pugalis
The UK historic city of Durham is considered by policymakers to be the ‘jewel in the crown’ in terms of economic potential for a county that has struggled to find a niche role following the collapse of coalmining. Perceived through the eyes of a local practitioner, this paper takes a look at how a networked ensemble of actors are responding to the economic recession and planning for the upturn. The paper examines the role of place quality improvements administered through the delivery of a city masterplan to stitch together the historic city fabric with a contemporary urban aesthetic. Through the case of the (incremental) renaissance of Durham city, it is suggested that a sensitive multilayered development approach underpinned by deliberative democracy is required that responds to the needs of everyday users and local inhabitants.
2012 evolutionary waves of place-shaping pre during and post recession - pu...Lee Pugalis
This paper is concerned with the evolution of place-shaping over the past decade or so and its potential future direction, specifically relating to a UK context but with varying aspects of resonance internationally. The methodological approach and empirical originality is derived from practitioner encounters synthesised with theory. Three ‘waves’ of place-shaping are discernable: renaissance, recession mitigation and recovery. Conceptualising and examining the changing face of place-shaping practice, some broad place quality trends are identified. Asserting that renaissance interventions were heavily skewed towards enhancing the material aspects of city spaces it is suggested that recessions provide a useful interject to reflect on past practice, rethink future policies and sharpen skills. It is within such a climate that innovatory practice can flourish as (public, private and community) actors are challenged to seek alternative ways of working. Questioning the wisdom of cuts in quality, the paper calls for new ways of capturing place quality.
Key words: place-shaping, regeneration, urban renaissance, place quality, economic recovery.
2012 the cultural life of public spaces - pugalisLee Pugalis
Within a UK context of radical policy reform and broader global economic shifts, the homogenisation of public space and the decimation of cultural life are leading-edge issues of contemporary concern. Drawing on empirics from a broader research project, this paper reports on the (ongoing) production of public spaces and extracts some pointers for practice pertaining to planning for their cultural life. Underutilisation, temporal dimensions and perceptions of urban quality are analysed, before tentatively considering future directions. Multi-stakeholder coproduction is put forward as a potentially fruitful mode of working.
2012 au revoir regions where now for eu funding - pugalis and fisherLee Pugalis
The Coalition Government’s rejection of regions, understood here as a spatial unit for managing sub-national development activity, remains politically and spatially ‘out of synch’ with EU regional policy. It is within this context that some important policy and delivery quandaries arise within and across the former English regions.
2011- English regions disbanded: European funding and economic regeneration i...Lee Pugalis
Abstract
The investiture of a UK Coalition Government in 2010 heralded the (ongoing) production of new sub-national geographies of governance in England. Of primary concern is the disbanding of the English regions, outside of London, which were New Labour’s preferred scale for ‘managing’ economic regeneration during the 2000s. In a bid to rollback the role of the state as part of their deficit reduction plan, the Coalition embarked on a political rescaling strategy resulting in various institutional reconfigurations. This rescaling of state power has significant policy implications in the context of European funding, which is the focus of this paper. By analysing a field of policy activity during a period of significant motion, the intent is to highlight some notable dilemmas, aided by posing some practical questions; in order to prompt some much needed policy discussion and academic deliberation.
Pugalis, L. & Fisher, B. (2011) 'English regions disbanded: European funding and economic regeneration implications', Local Economy, 26 (6/7), pp. 500-516.
2011 a renewed right to urban life - pugalis and giddingsLee Pugalis
Abstract
This paper is concerned with how space is socially produced and the vigorous struggles that this process entails. Critically engaging with some different readings of Henri Lefebvre’s spatial notion of the “right to the city” we contemplate its radical potency to reconstitute a renewed right to urban life. We argue that the right to the city – trialectically interpreted as a theoretical concept, call for action and cry – has substantial contemporary relevance and import, extending to spatial practitioners such as architects. This conclusion is reached by exploring the neoliberal imperative to conquer space, grappling with the issue of social justice as a means to decipher who (re)produces the city and in what particular ways. Highly visible strategies are contrasted with some less visible counter-practices, by developing a conceptual framework that emphasises ACCESSING, BEING and PARTICIPATING in the city. We contend that “little victories”, offer locationally-specific insights into alternative methods of production, and pose some unsettling questions for architects.
Pugalis, L. & Giddings, B. (2011) 'A Renewed Right to Urban Life: A Twenty-First Century Engagement with Lefebvre’s Initial "Cry"', Architectural Theory Review, 16 (3), pp. 278-295.
2012 Rebalancing England: Sub-National Development (Once Again) at the Crossr...Lee Pugalis
Abstract
Over the last two decades there has been continuous tinkering and wholesale review of the remit, governance and territorial focus of sub-national development in England. There has also been mounting agreement that subsidiarity will produce optimum material outcomes. It is against this background that we provide a critical reading of the UK Coalition government’s 2010 ‘White Paper’ on Local Growth. Revealing the peculiarities of an economic transition plan which dismantled a regional (strategic) framework, we explore the opportunities that cross-boundary Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) may provide. After abandoning regions, LEPs have been promoted as the only possible ‘replacements’ for Regional Development Agencies and, thus, a prime example of new ‘techniques of government’. We probe the potentials and pitfalls from the dash to establish new sub-national techniques of government, and crystallise some key implications that apply beyond the shores of England. Our key contention is that LEPs have designed-in just as many issues as they have designed-out.
Pugalis, L. & Townsend, A. R. (2012) 'Rebalancing England: Sub-National Development (Once Again) at the Crossroads', Urban Research & Practice, 5 (1), 159-176.
2012 Rescaling of Planning and its Interface with Economic Development - puga...Lee Pugalis
Abstract
Following the installation of a UK Coalition Government in 2010, ways of governing the spatial organisation of development have undergone far-reaching change in England. Within a context of austerity following the abolition of regional policy machinery, and an onerous national target framework, localities are entering a new phase of incentivised development. Consequently, Local Planning Authorities are having to transfer part of their focus from government’s ‘top-down’ requirements, as they come to embrace more adequately ‘bottom-up’ neighbourhood scale plans. Analysing the path of change, especially at the interface between planning and economic development, the paper draws attention to the dilemmas arising from these crucial scale shifts, and explores the potential of sub-national governance entities – Local Enterprise Partnerships – to help resolve the strategic co-ordination of planning.
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 3. In this session, we will cover desktop automation along with UI automation.
Topics covered:
UI automation Introduction,
UI automation Sample
Desktop automation flow
Pradeep Chinnala, Senior Consultant Automation Developer @WonderBotz and UiPath MVP
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
Elevating Tactical DDD Patterns Through Object CalisthenicsDorra BARTAGUIZ
After immersing yourself in the blue book and its red counterpart, attending DDD-focused conferences, and applying tactical patterns, you're left with a crucial question: How do I ensure my design is effective? Tactical patterns within Domain-Driven Design (DDD) serve as guiding principles for creating clear and manageable domain models. However, achieving success with these patterns requires additional guidance. Interestingly, we've observed that a set of constraints initially designed for training purposes remarkably aligns with effective pattern implementation, offering a more ‘mechanical’ approach. Let's explore together how Object Calisthenics can elevate the design of your tactical DDD patterns, offering concrete help for those venturing into DDD for the first time!
DevOps and Testing slides at DASA ConnectKari Kakkonen
My and Rik Marselis slides at 30.5.2024 DASA Connect conference. We discuss about what is testing, then what is agile testing and finally what is Testing in DevOps. Finally we had lovely workshop with the participants trying to find out different ways to think about quality and testing in different parts of the DevOps infinity loop.
Accelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish CachingThijs Feryn
A presentation about the usage and availability of Varnish on Kubernetes. This talk explores the capabilities of Varnish caching and shows how to use the Varnish Helm chart to deploy it to Kubernetes.
This presentation was delivered at K8SUG Singapore. See https://feryn.eu/presentations/accelerate-your-kubernetes-clusters-with-varnish-caching-k8sug-singapore-28-2024 for more details.
Slack (or Teams) Automation for Bonterra Impact Management (fka Social Soluti...Jeffrey Haguewood
Sidekick Solutions uses Bonterra Impact Management (fka Social Solutions Apricot) and automation solutions to integrate data for business workflows.
We believe integration and automation are essential to user experience and the promise of efficient work through technology. Automation is the critical ingredient to realizing that full vision. We develop integration products and services for Bonterra Case Management software to support the deployment of automations for a variety of use cases.
This video focuses on the notifications, alerts, and approval requests using Slack for Bonterra Impact Management. The solutions covered in this webinar can also be deployed for Microsoft Teams.
Interested in deploying notification automations for Bonterra Impact Management? Contact us at sales@sidekicksolutionsllc.com to discuss next steps.
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...James Anderson
Effective Application Security in Software Delivery lifecycle using Deployment Firewall and DBOM
The modern software delivery process (or the CI/CD process) includes many tools, distributed teams, open-source code, and cloud platforms. Constant focus on speed to release software to market, along with the traditional slow and manual security checks has caused gaps in continuous security as an important piece in the software supply chain. Today organizations feel more susceptible to external and internal cyber threats due to the vast attack surface in their applications supply chain and the lack of end-to-end governance and risk management.
The software team must secure its software delivery process to avoid vulnerability and security breaches. This needs to be achieved with existing tool chains and without extensive rework of the delivery processes. This talk will present strategies and techniques for providing visibility into the true risk of the existing vulnerabilities, preventing the introduction of security issues in the software, resolving vulnerabilities in production environments quickly, and capturing the deployment bill of materials (DBOM).
Speakers:
Bob Boule
Robert Boule is a technology enthusiast with PASSION for technology and making things work along with a knack for helping others understand how things work. He comes with around 20 years of solution engineering experience in application security, software continuous delivery, and SaaS platforms. He is known for his dynamic presentations in CI/CD and application security integrated in software delivery lifecycle.
Gopinath Rebala
Gopinath Rebala is the CTO of OpsMx, where he has overall responsibility for the machine learning and data processing architectures for Secure Software Delivery. Gopi also has a strong connection with our customers, leading design and architecture for strategic implementations. Gopi is a frequent speaker and well-known leader in continuous delivery and integrating security into software delivery.
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a buttonDianaGray10
Here is something new! In our next Connector Corner webinar, we will demonstrate how you can use a single workflow to:
Create a campaign using Mailchimp with merge tags/fields
Send an interactive Slack channel message (using buttons)
Have the message received by managers and peers along with a test email for review
But there’s more:
In a second workflow supporting the same use case, you’ll see:
Your campaign sent to target colleagues for approval
If the “Approve” button is clicked, a Jira/Zendesk ticket is created for the marketing design team
But—if the “Reject” button is pushed, colleagues will be alerted via Slack message
Join us to learn more about this new, human-in-the-loop capability, brought to you by Integration Service connectors.
And...
Speakers:
Akshay Agnihotri, Product Manager
Charlie Greenberg, Host
Kubernetes & AI - Beauty and the Beast !?! @KCD Istanbul 2024Tobias Schneck
As AI technology is pushing into IT I was wondering myself, as an “infrastructure container kubernetes guy”, how get this fancy AI technology get managed from an infrastructure operational view? Is it possible to apply our lovely cloud native principals as well? What benefit’s both technologies could bring to each other?
Let me take this questions and provide you a short journey through existing deployment models and use cases for AI software. On practical examples, we discuss what cloud/on-premise strategy we may need for applying it to our own infrastructure to get it to work from an enterprise perspective. I want to give an overview about infrastructure requirements and technologies, what could be beneficial or limiting your AI use cases in an enterprise environment. An interactive Demo will give you some insides, what approaches I got already working for real.
Leading Change strategies and insights for effective change management pdf 1.pdf
2009 a cost in planning for prosperous economies - pugalis and martin
1. A cost in planning for prosperous economies?
Paper should be cited as:
Pugalis, L. and Martin, G. (2009) 'A cost in planning for prosperous
economies?' Town & Country Planning, 78(7), pp. 308-310.
The new draft PPS4 exudes the desperation born of a harsh economic
climate and appears to invite short-term fixes rather than long-term
sustainable growth, say Lee Pugalis and Glenn Martin
The Government’s latest consultation draft of Planning Policy Statement 4
(PPS4): Planning for Prosperous Economies1 intends to simplify the planning
process in order to stimulate economic prosperity. It proposes that local
planning authorities should ‘consider proposals for economic development
other than town centre uses, favourably unless there is good reason to
believe that the social, economic and/or environmental costs of development
are likely to outweigh the benefits’. The revised draft PPS4 published by the
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on 5 May 2009
incorporates economic policy (previously scattered in a plethora of planning
statements and guidance) covering industrial and commercial development
and small firms, town centres, simplified planning zones, and sustainable
development in rural areas.
Whereas the previous draft of PPS4: Sustainable Economic
Development issued in December 2007 was welcomed in terms of its focus
on an outdated aspect of spatial planning policy, it was largely condemned as
a disappointment. Martin Simmons, for example, argued that its homogenous
approach failed to relate to the Government’s Review of Sub-National
Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR), particularly in terms of
cross-boundary economic flows expressed in city-regional policy.2
Encompassed within the Government’s ongoing review of regional
governance and place-shaping activities at various spatial scales,3 Planning
for Prosperous Economies purports to create ‘a coherent and modern set of
policies designed to meet the economic challenges we face, both short and
long term’.
Indeed, in her foreword Margaret Beckett, then Minister for Housing
and Planning, argued that ‘for the first time, this comprehensive new draft
statement brings together in one place all of the Government’s key planning
policies relating to the economy and streamlines and simplifies policy to focus
on what is important to allow the economy to grow in a sustainable manner’.
But if we scratch under the surface, does the revised draft lives up to its own
hype, or is there a cost to Planning for Prosperous Economies?
What is economic development?
According to the new draft PPS, economic development is defined as
including land uses that provide employment opportunities, generate wealth,
are economically productive, or a combination of the above. Such a definition
should be welcomed for planning purposes as it acknowledges the different
facets of economic development – most notably that sustainable economic
-1-
2. development requires more than a steady pipeline of employment land, as the
Government’s Regeneration Framework also recognises.4 Yet the
Regeneration Framework goes a few steps further, making the case that the
public sector needs to focus on creating the right conditions for economic
transformation, including good healthcare and social service infrastructure,
transport and communication links, affordable housing, green space, and a
high quality of life. In this respect, Prosperous Economies is not as
‘comprehensive’ as Margaret Beckett would have had us believe.
The definition of economic development set out in Planning for
Prosperous Economies loses some of its potential potency by complicating
matters with the addition of a list of ‘town centre’ uses, including retail, leisure,
offices and cultural amenities. This simplistic list of ‘main’ economic uses to
be found in town centres is evidence of the revised draft PPS4 slipping back
into an incoherent, outdated and ‘un-modern’ understanding of the
contemporary spatial economy. Such a traditional view of economic
development raises further doubt about the internal coherence of this
‘modern’ policy statement and its external consistency with the SNR5 and
wider place-shaping policy, such as the regeneration priority maps identified
in the Regeneration Framework.
Urban-rural dichotomy
PPS4 intends to implement a number of recommendations set out in
Matthew Taylor’s Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing,6 which is
welcome. The economic value and potential of the country’s rural
communities is rightly recognised in the consultation document, which notes
that rural areas are not ‘a poor relation’ but rather ‘major contributors to the
national economy on a par with all urban areas outside of London’. This
performance may be surprising considering the significant injection of public
sector resources targeted at urban cores, and particularly England’s ‘core
cities’, over the past decade. In contrast, rural communities have been at the
sharp end of ever-tightening public sector purse-strings, having suffered post
office closures, the centralisation of healthcare facilities, and declining public
transport services.
Although draft PPS4 recognises that rural economies cannot be
separated from their urban counterparts, rural areas are dealt with separately
and, we contend, rather awkwardly. The term ‘rural areas’ is too often
conflated with that of ‘countryside’, which is likely to direct planners down a
protectionist path. Such a policy direction neglects the economic contribution
of rural areas and may threaten the potential for emerging opportunities, such
as greater live-work space provision in geographically peripheral rural
localities. Furthermore, simplistic rural land use policy displaying a lack of
spatial awareness may also hinder a rural enterprise surge beyond anything
other than farm diversification and equestrian activities.
Indeed, Matthew Taylor’s Review also struggled to paint an adequate
picture of the needs and opportunities of rural areas across the country –
particularly those in the North which continue to suffer from de-
industrialisation and disinvestment. Of notable concern, Planning for
Prosperous Economies reverts back to outmoded language and thinking that
the Taylor Review tried to overturn. The opening paragraph of Policy EC9:
‘Local planning approach to rural areas’ reads more like open space guidance
-2-
3. than policy which recognises the real economic potential of rural people,7 and
the ‘decision making policies’ (EC12-24) reduce rural economies to
‘shopping’, the ‘countryside’ and ‘tourism’.
It appears that all the talk of city-regions and of the sub-regional
economic flows and interactions espoused in the Government’s SNR have
fallen on deaf ears in terms of the draft PPS’s planning interpretation of the
spatial economy. Unfortunately, Planning for Prosperous Economies opts to
focus exclusively on local and regional planning and dichotomising urban and
rural relations, so undoing the positive steps made by recognising that there is
no such thing as a separate ‘rural economy’.
Growth at any cost?
The social and environmental benefit of good design is very difficult to
demonstrate, but Planning for Prosperous Economies approaches the
determination of planning applications from the opposite angle, calling for a
clear demonstration of ‘dis-benefits’ to justify rejecting proposals. The
guidance proposal that local planning authorities should consider economic
development applications ‘favourably unless there is good reason to believe
that the social, economic and/or environmental costs of development are
likely to outweigh the benefits’ is likely to see local planning authorities finding
it extremely difficult to reject lower-grade development schemes on an
individual basis, with the result that the combined effect of incremental
inappropriate development could work against the promotion of well designed,
inclusive spaces.
While making a valid attempt to devise a national policy framework that
plans positively for economic growth, draft PPS4 unfortunately exudes the
desperation of politicians and policy-makers operating within a harsh
economic climate. There is a real danger that a ‘growth at any cost approach’
will prevail to the detriment of long-term sustainable growth; a short-term fix
along the lines of past mistakes rather than a solution with longevity.
‘Lose-lose’ choices?
Scratching beneath the surface of Planning for Prosperous Economies,
it quickly becomes apparent that many of the shortcomings replete in the
2007 iteration of draft PPS4 remain. We therefore conclude that the revised
draft fails to live up to its own hype of providing an integrated package of
policy measures designed to prepare for an economic recovery and facilitate
prosperous economies. Indeed, we argue that the presumption in favour of
economic development may well come at a significant long-term cost. If
implemented, the proposals in draft PPS4 may facilitate unsustainable
development patterns and force places into ‘lose-lose’ choices between
inappropriate development or no development.
o Lee Pugalis is based at the School of Architecture, Planning and
Landscape, University of Newcastle, and is the economic policy lead for
County Durham Economic Partnership. Glenn Martin is an Economic Policy
Officer at Durham County Council. The views expressed here are personal.
Notes
-3-
4. 1 Consultation Paper on a new Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for
Prosperous Economies. DCLG, May 2009.
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/consultatio
neconomicpps
2 M. Simmons: ‘A draft for economic disappointment?’. Town & Country
Planning, 2008, Vol. 77, Mar., 116-8
3 See, for example, L. Pugalis: ‘Regional governance and place-shaping
– an evolving tripartite relationship’. Town & Country Planning, 2009,
Vol. 78, Jan., 38-41
4 Transforming Places; Changing Lives: Taking Forward the
Regeneration Framework. DCLG, 2009.
www.communities.gov.uk/documents/citiesandregions/pdf/1227732.pdf
5 L. Pugalis: ‘SNR – a story of compromise’. Journal of the Institution of
Economic Development, 2009, Vol. 107, 6-7; and L. Pugalis: ‘Putting
the fox in charge of the hens?’. Town & County Planning, 2009, Vol.
78, Feb., 67-9
6 M. Taylor: Living Working Countryside: The Taylor Review of Rural
Economy and Affordable Housing. DCLG, 2008
7 ‘Economic development in open countryside away from existing
settlements, or outside areas allocated for development in
development plans, should be strictly controlled. Most new
development should continue to be located in or on the edge of existing
settlements as this facilitates best use of existing infrastructure and
delivers sustainable development. The countryside should be protected
for the sake of its intrinsic character and beauty, the diversity of its
landscapes, heritage and wildlife, the wealth of its natural resources
and so it may be enjoyed by all.’ Para. EC9.1, Consultation Paper on a
new Planning Policy Statement 4 (see Note 1)
-4-