The region, identity, and power

This paper discusses current perspectives and interpretations of region and regional identity. It looks at the social and historical production and transformation of regionality and spatial meaning making. It also reflects on how discourses on regional identity are currently being exploited in various institutional contexts, such as regional planning. The article similarly reflects how purported regional identities are related to the mobility of citizens and how this mobility perhaps calls for a further re-conceptualization of spatial categories. Since regions and identities are historically and spatially contingent, both the theoretical and empirical understanding of what regions and regional identities mean must be based on contextuality. A comparative analysis of such meanings is a most laudable aim to avoid abstract, empty generalizations. This contribution is based on a set of reflections presented at the REGov Workshop. These reflections were offered as part of a panel discussion around the topic "What is a region?" Additional presentations provided in the context of this panel discussion include those of Anthony Lehmann, University of Geneva, John Allen, Open University (UK), and Ronan Uhel, European Environment Agency (this volume). Webcasts of all presentations are available at http://www.reg-observatory.org/outputs.html. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.