Pike, A: Levelling Up Left Behind Places The Scale and Nature of the Economic and Policy Challenge

This is a timely and highly significant contribution to the current policy

debate on 'levelling up' in the UK. The authors draw upon their long-standing

expertise and understanding to provide a rich and insightful contemporary

analysis of the problem of the UK's 'left behind places'. Drawing on robust and

detailed evidence, they present a powerful argument that nothing less than

a transformative shift in policy approach and resource commitment will be

required if the 'levelling up' ambition is to be achieved. Whilst this analysis is

focused on the UK, the approach provided and the lessons to be learned have

wider relevance for all countries seeking to reduce spatial divides and develop

greater place-sensitivity in national policy-making.

This is a highly recommended book that clearly documents why some places

(cities, towns and localities) in the UK have been left behind economically,

making a convincing case for the role of place-based policies using novel

evidence and analysis and identifying clear radical policy recommendations for

the UK and valuable lessons elsewhere.

This is a very timely book, dealing with an issue which is becoming urgent in

many countries, i.e. how to help many places currently struggling economically

and socially. Based on solid theory and carefully researched, the book provides

the reader with clear evidence and draws useful and fundamental policy

recommendations, which go beyond the UK context and could have a wider

application in other parts of the world.

"Since the 1980s, income and employment inequalities between the United Kingdom's North (including such formerly industrial cities as Manchester and Glasgow) and the South (i.e., including Greater London) have been increasing. The COVID-19 pandemic only served to highlight these inequalities. Although some degree of spatial inequality is inevitable, it does not detract from the importance of minimizing its scale. The book provides valuable guidance on how to reduce these variations in what they call "levelling up left behind places."[...] This 135-page book is easy to read and helps in understanding the predicament of left-behind places and the challenges in leveling them up for economic prosperity." - David Varady (2022) Levelling Up Left Behind Places: The Scale and Nature of the Economic and Policy Challenge, Journal of the American Planning Association, DOI: 10.1080/01944363.2022.2099178