Theory and practice of the region: a contextual analysis of the transformation of Finnish regiions

Abstract

Regions and regional identities are today important in academic research, regional planning schemes, development ideologies and marketing strategies pursued by regional, national and supranational actors. This is a consequence of both the neoliberalization of the global economy and a regionalist response. This article will problematize the current interpretations of region and regional identity. Further, based on a range of illustrations from Finland, this study will analyse the social production and transformation of regionality and spatial meaning making or identity building in this context. The article will study how discourses on regional identity have been historically produced, and how they are currently being exploited in various institutional contexts, especially regional planning. The paper also discusses how purported regional identities are related to the mobility of citizens and how this mobility challenges and claims to re-conceptualize spatial categories.