Overcoming cultural resistance to city-regionalism: What role for Universities?

Abstract

South-east Wales is among the many regions currently seeking the benefits of city-regional governance. On a negative front, it is acknowledged that the adverse effects of urbanisation have a regional dimension that must be overcome. From a more positive standpoint, it is hoped that enhanced regional cooperation will enable the region to accrue the economic advantages of agglomeration, and in the process improve social equity. At present, structural and cultural barriers stand in the way of these benefits for the emergent Cardiff city-region. These barriers have thus far proved intractable, but might they yet be overcome? New regionalist theorists have proposed that non-state actors can play an important part in a region's governance, and this chapter argues that the current situation in south-east Wales lends credence to that importance. It then explores the potential for one sizeable non-state actor, the university, to contribute to improved city-regional governance. The chapter concludes by examining the opportunities and challenges facing the universities of south-east Wales if they are to make such a contribution.