Left behind places have become a popular narrative for geographical inequalities in economic opportunities and their political repercussions that become evident in the rise of populist movements that increasingly challenge democratic structures and social cohesion, like Trump, Brexit, or AfD. This seminar addresses what we mean by left behind places. It traces the term’s origins and definition and discusses implications for geographical research and policy. It examines the key conceptual and theoretical frameworks based on agglomeration benefits, the rise of superstar cities and spatial polarisation.
The geography of discontent and disruptive rise of political populism has spurred governments to develop institutions and policies that address the problems of left behind places. The seminar examines long-standing and ongoing political challenges, as well as place-based approaches to local, regional and urban development.
Left-behind places have been neglected by spatial policy, which tends to focus on promoting superstar as the places most likely to thrive in the knowledge economy. However, prevailing approaches have failed to adequately address the problems of left-behind places, prompting a search for alternatives to harness their hitherto overlooked economic potential. This seminar examines the critique of conventional approaches and the emergence of alternatives, such as the foundational economy.
- Kursleiter/in: Matthias Kiese