Nature recovery and regional development: an emerging agenda for England’s rural–periphery and regional studies

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the cultural, political and policy changes that are creating new economic opportunities through nature recovery. We introduce research being undertaken with an alliance of English local authorities in rural–peripheral regions to explore these opportunities and their implications for local and regional development paths. The paper highlights the questions driving the project and introduces the economic sectors in which regenerative approaches are being developed. It sets out a new agenda for research in regional studies, exploring how the economy can be positively integrated with the environment in ways that embrace the broader community.