The Politics of Transition and Placemaking

London, 11 December 2024

Join us in Hendon for a timely and fascinating discussion on the role of local democracy and policy and the limits and opportunities for (radical and sustainable) locally-led systems change. The event will showcase the work of CUSP researcher Dr Amy Burnett (CEEDR, Middlesex University Business School) and Dr Jason Leman (formerly University of Sheffield).

Amy and Jason are specialists in local democracy, social movements, placemaking and (independent) politics and both had the honour of examining the flagship sustainability pioneer town of Frome, Somerset for their respective PhD research. In an informal, conversational fireside chat style format, Amy and Jason will discuss, appraise and critique pertinent ideas that are at the forefront of innovative thinking in British politics, local democracy and sustainable placemaking. Topics they will discuss include:

The promise and perils of localism and ‘taking back control’
Frome in context – the what, why, how and significance of alternative placemaking
The role of policy, planning and local government systems in shaping policy
The role of individuals and personality in shaping responses and ambition to dream and enact radical locally-led (sustainable) solutions
The potential and limits of social movements in governing local outcomes
What next for local democracy and planning to support regenerative systems change

The event will also showcase the recent publication of Amy’s book, The Politics of Transition Innovative Place-Making and Alternative Development Models Under English Localism which examines the impact of recent planning reforms on emergent, alternative models of local governance.

Amy and Jason will also outline their plans for joint publications on these topics and offer directions for future research and the contribution Middlesex University, the CUSP network, policy and practitioner partners have on these important research areas.