Promoting a place-based approach in the configuration of local development policies in Spain: The Catalan experience

Abstract

Incongruences generated since the democratic transition period have hindered local development actors and policies establishing a subsidiary relationship between the different tiers of Spanish administration. The economic crisis in Spain has further aggravated issues concerning funding and organisation directly affecting service provision and generating a negative correlation between services provided by local governments and financing received. This article discusses the experience through the Treball als barris (Employment in the neighbourhoods) and Treball a les 7 Comarques (Employment in the 7 Comarques) local development projects deployed in Catalonia which are geared towards shifting from the traditional sector-based implementation of employment promotion and economic development policies to a more territory and case-specific design. The adoption of a specific methodology, establishing a Charter of Services as an action framework, has been a step forward in recognising the pivotal role of local governments and communities not only through execution and implementation of projects, but also in the design and coordination of place-based development strategies.