A dynamic regional branding process as a governance tool for sustainability transitions

What the paper says

This study addresses the critical issue of bridging diverse perspectives and fostering meaningful collaboration among stakeholders in place governance. It establishes SI as a powerful action research approach for fostering inclusive and actionable place-based governance. The study contributes to this special issue by showing how place identities can be leveraged as governance tools to bind actors together to collaborate towards a collective goal. Through a case study of the Spanish Muntanya d’Alacant region, currently undergoing a regional development process under the EU LEADER program for rural development, it highlights the transformative potential of sociological intervention (SI). Rooted in sociology and social movement theory, SI provides a reflective space where actors can share experiences and reconcile individual and collective values associated with place. This iterative and reflexive approach addresses the challenges posed by contested identities and value conflicts that often hinder governance and cooperation. Furthermore, SI facilitates deeper engagement with the emotional and embodied dimensions of place identity, strengthening connections and shared goals. The SI approach emphasizes the significance of sense of belonging and shared purpose as prerequisites for building trust, enabling cooperation, and driving collective action. These foundational elements are key to overcoming governance challenges and facilitating sustainable societal change. The case study showcases how SI can help reconfigure social dynamics to enhance self-organization and promote collective action. By leveraging place identity as a governance tool, the study illustrates how SI can align actors around shared goals and catalyze sustainability transformations.