Beyond agglomeration: putting the ‘place’ back in place-based policy for ‘left behind’ regions

Place-based policies are back on the political agenda to address widening spatial inequalities. However, recent policies generally adhere to a narrow set of regional development strategies: create regional agglomerations and clusters to spur innovation-led growth. We contend that such tactics, while successful in urban cores, are not necessarily aligned with the needs of many peripheral regions. Place-based policies should therefore broaden their tactics to include approaches bespoke to peripheral contexts. Specifically, policymakers should empower regional actors, prioritise investments in well-being over economic growth and intervene in extractive flows. This article charts a path forward for more place-sensitive policy design for peripheral regions.