This paper is a praxis-based, theoretical analysis of the political ecology of place. The paper grew out of a multiyear activist project to redirect campus planning at our university onto a more sustainable footing. In our engagement with the unique institutional character of the university, we were required to address, on the one hand, its resistant power structures and, on the other hand, its real potential for fostering progressive social change. On the basis of this practical work, we develop a theoretical perspective on place-based change and articulate a situated conception of what we call ‘social rationality’. Turning from analysis to prescription, we then suggest a strategy of ‘comprehensive local innovation’ to allow universities to open up their potential to become working precedents that can address global issues through local action. Although the present paper does not articulate detailed proposals for specific institutional reforms, we consider such proposals in a related book.
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