Epistemic Communities in Unlikely Regions: The Role of Multi-level Governance in Fostering Regionalism

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded regional planning grants to seventy-four regions, raising the question of whether these regions were able to form lasting cross-sectoral knowledge communities (“epistemic communities”). We conduct in-depth case studies examining the politics and mechanics of how epistemic communities formed and have continued in regions where it might be challenging to do so (in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia), finding that the planning process promoted the growth of regional networks and incipient governance. We trace the new collaboration to the federal program, suggesting a role for higher levels of government in fostering regionalism.