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This paper develops an analytical framework from which to understand the mobilisation of post-political urban environments across spatial and institutional contexts. Our analysis of two closely related cases from a Swedish context reveals the potential benefits of combining studies on urban political ecology and policy mobility. By utilising Actor-Network Theory (ANT) we illustrate how post-political environments that are shaped by mobile and mutating policies of sustainable urban development are stabilised through distinct discursive strategies, capital investments and the desire for increased influence within global frames of action and contribute to the creation of, what we call, selective geographies.

Many scholars argue that regional planning has lost its political significance and practical relevance in recent years. Based on a comparative analysis of formal regional planning in eight European countries, this study questions and nuances this view. It is concluded that the institutional conditions for regional planning are still extensive and have been adapted to changing contexts since the year 2000, but along different pathways across the analysed countries. The investigation highlights that multiple forms of planning regions have been incorporated in the planning systems through multipurpose planning instruments that have further added to the existing dynamic and diversified regional planning landscape across Europe., This paper is based on findings from the applied research project ‘Comparative Analysis of Territorial Governance and Spatial Planning Systems in Europe (COMPASS)’ commissioned by the ESPON 2020 Cooperation Programme., ESPON COMPASS - Comparative Analysis of Territorial Governance and Spatial Planning Systems in Europe

This chapter addresses the processes of spatial framing underlying EU Regional Policy and spatial planning in the EU member states, which shape the spatial delineations of programmes, plans and projects. While administrative, fixed and hard spaces continue to exist and to be relevant for both policy fields, functional, flexible and soft spaces are gaining importance. Despite these parallel developments, the two policy fields remain disconnected due to their unique origins, different policy rationales, varying logics of implementation as well as prevailing political concerns. However, we understand the developments towards functional and soft spaces as yet another opportunity to establish stronger links between EU Regional Policy and spatial planning in the member states. A stronger integration could help to strengthen the territorial perspective in EU Regional Policy, to provide financial resources for the achievement of strategic objectives in planning, and to harmonise different sectoral policies under the umbrella of spatial planning.

[Einleitung ...] Mit diesem Positionspapier aus der ARL möchten wir einen Beitrag zur Debatte um die möglichen raumbezogenen Auswirkungen des Brexits leisten. Wir betrachten diese Auswirkungen aus einer eher deutschen Perspektive heraus. Das heißt: Andere raumbezogene Auswirkungen bzw. Problemlagen, wie zum Beispiel das komplizierte Verhältnis zwischen der EU, der Republik Irland und Nordirland (als Teil des VK) bleiben bewusst außen vor, weil sie den Rahmen dieses Papiers sprengen würden. Wir skizzieren dazu Entwicklungen in sieben Handlungsfeldern, die in besonderer Weise die räumliche Entwicklung beeinflussen werden. Die Betrachtung in den jeweiligen Teilkapiteln fokussiert auf das jeweilige Handlungsfeld selbst, und es werden, je nach Daten- und Informationslage, Ausblicke zur Situation nach dem Brexit vermittelt. Das Positionspapier schließt mit einer Diskussion möglicher Szenarien des zukünftigen Handelsverhältnisses zwischen VK und EU.