In a global context of an emphasis on identity politics and a 'cultural turn' in social analysis, deep concern has been expressed about multiethnic Britain becoming a broken society with many 'sleepwalking' into segregation and separatism. Given the close correspondence between areas of acute...

This article explores the debate about contested space in urban policy and planning. Beginning with a review of key concepts and theories, it proceeds to identify models for understanding such spaces and for effective public intervention. It takes a case study of Belfast, on which there is...

This article critically reviews the most recent economic development strategy for Northern Ireland, Strategy 2010. It is discussed within the con text of more general approaches to region al development and in terms of questioning whether it is adequate to address the key structural weaknesses...

This article provides a con textual framework for the new agenda for development, represented in the economic strategy known as Strategy 2010, and the regional spatial plan known as Shaping Our Future. These are considered in the following two articles. This article begins by setting a...

This introductory article does three things. First, it indicates the general purpose of this special edition and outlines the structure and intention of the four main articles that follow. Secondly, it elaborates the arguments and theoretical discourse underpinning the articles, and thirdly, it...

This article addresses regional development in a contested society, examining the extent to which the main regional strategies in Northern Ireland form an integrated approach to resolving not only the structural weaknesses in the economy, but also the outcomes of the socio-spatial segregation...