Reframing strategic spatial planning as a ‘coproductive trading zone’ between state-led and place-based interests: Reflections from Maryland and Finland

Abstract

The rescaling of planning policies and practices has brought out the need to reframe our understanding of the democratic legitimacy of emerging governance arrangements. For example, in the UK, state-coordinated local planning has increasingly been linked to the foundations of ‘post-political’ spatial planning, characterized by a democracy deficit and overall inadequate political debate about planning alternatives. This article reflects upon the changing state–local relationship by reframing strategic spatial planning as a ‘coproductive trading zone’ (CTZ) between state-led and place-based interests. The aim of the article is to present a conceptual opening to planning theoretical debate and policymaking by intertwining the recent yet partly separate planning theoretical paths regarding ‘post-political planning’, ‘trading zones’ and ‘coproduction’. The conceptual framework is then utilized to analyse the recent planning developments in Maryland and Finland, where the need for increased state-level coordination of spatial planning has been highlighted. The attention is on the emerging plea for a new kind of state–local coalition emphasized in public sector led strategic planning policies that claim to draw from place-based practices and engagement. The concept of a CTZ offers a useful framework for transparent policy development that increases understanding about the democracy deficit in strategic state-led spatial planning and the potential ways to overcome the deficit.