Many coastal towns in England face a unique set of overlapping challenges: a longstanding socio-economic stagnation and environmental threats from the physical location. The consequences of de-industrialisation or the decline of seaside resorts and the registered failures in public policies recall other left-behind geographies.
We look at a selection of case studies, apparently dealing with the decline of traditional coastal economic activities, but really affected by a decoupling of their socio-economic profile from their coastal specificity.
Our examples of coastal towns demonstrate that regeneration strategies in left-behind areas require strong regional coordination and a locally differentiated place-based approach.
Innovation in planning tools and policies for local regeneration is also needed to achieve meaningful change in these “peripheral” contexts. Central to the latter discussion is the need to further consider spatial imaginaries and the mechanism behind the formulation of local identities.
Speaker biography
Stefania is an Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge (Department of Land Economy), a Fellow of Downing College (Cambridge), and an Honorary Lecturer at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL).
Her research interest and expertise combine urban planning and economic geography for more inclusive and resilient local economic development policies and regeneration strategies.
Before joining the University of Cambridge, Stefania held roles at University College London and London South Bank University.
Stefania holds a PhD in Planning Studies from the Bartlett School of Planning (UCL). She trained as an engineer in Rome and in urban studies in Paris, with work experience in international consultancies in Italy, France, and the UK.
Her work has been published in several leading international academic journals. Among the various engagements she carries out, she has held a visiting position at Sciences Po in Paris, serves on the editorial board of the Cambridge Journal of Regions Economy and Society and she is a board member and trustee of the Regional Studies Association.