Chapter Four: Multi-Scalar Sustainable Policy Planning in East London
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Scalar politics: Sustainability planning under Localism and the delivery of London’s Olympic legacy Andrew Aaron Robert Hoolachan Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge January 2017 This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Abstract Scalar politics: Sustainability planning under Localism and the delivery of London’s Olympic legacy Andrew Hoolachan This thesis seeks to address a research gap concerning the relationship between the Localism Act 2011 and planning’s central purpose of achieving sustainable development. In addition it uses a physical example in urban space to illustrate the main arguments, and in doing so adds to the growing literature on the various outcomes since the Localism Act was enforced across England in 2011. The thesis asks four inter-related questions: Firstly, regarding the theoretical bases of sustainability and localism from the various ontologies of ‘scale’ and ‘the natural’; secondly, regarding the general conflicting assumptions within localism and sustainable development; thirdly, regarding the ways in which sustainable development is inherently multi-scalar; and lastly how our case study example highlights the need for policy-makers to examine the often overlooked trade-offs which exist in normative sustainable development models. The thesis also demonstrates the role that site-specific research can play in grounding theoretical and policy discussions. The research is situated in the rapidly changing sub-region of East London, particularly in the shadow of the 2012 Olympic regeneration of Stratford and the Borough of Newham. We take the example of a failed upgrade due the Localism Act, of a multi-scalar and multi-functional ‘Greenway’ to consider the relationship between localism and sustainable urbanism in the context neo-liberalism. Methods comprise site-based analysis in the form of walking, photography and note-taking, the analysis of national, metropolitan and local planning documents, as well as interviews with officials related to policy and design in the area and local residents. The research finds that national and metropolitan conceptions of sustainable development are weighted differently to those at local scales. In addition the Localism Act exacerbates planning capacities between Local Authorities and the communities they serve. There are some opportunities for neighbourhood planning but these are dependent on local capacities, widening already-existing socio-spatial inequalities. The thesis concludes by destabilising the widely used idea of sustainable development as a ‘balance’ between social, economic and environmental needs. Viewing sustainability through a scalar lens, in our case using a physical site and the policy of Localism, we are able to reveal the material differences between sustainable development agendas which have been criticised for masking over conflict in a post-political manner for the continuation of ‘status quo’ economic development trajectories. i This dissertation is the result of my own work and includes nothing which is the outcome of work done in collaboration except as declared in the Preface and specified in the text. It is not substantially the same as any that I have submitted, or, is being concurrently submitted for a degree or diploma or other qualification at the University of Cambridge or any other University or similar institution except as declared in the Preface and specified in the text. I further state that no substantial part of my dissertation has already been submitted, or, is being concurrently submitted for any such degree, diploma or other qualification at the University of Cambridge or any other University or similar institution except as declared in the Preface and specified in the text. It does not exceed the prescribed word limit for the relevant Degree Committee. Andrew Hoolachan ii Table of contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................... vii List of illustrations ................................................................................................................................. ix List of Tables .......................................................................................................................................... x 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Sustainable urban planning and localism ................................................................................ 1 1.2 Contribution to knowledge...................................................................................................... 8 1.3 The global context of localism and sustainable development ............................................... 10 1.4 Review of key concepts ........................................................................................................ 12 1.4.1 Localism ........................................................................................................................ 12 1.4.2 Sustainability ................................................................................................................. 19 1.5 Research Framework and questions ...................................................................................... 29 1.6 Selection of research sites ..................................................................................................... 29 1.7 Structure of Dissertation ....................................................................................................... 36 1.7.1 Chapter Two: Methods .................................................................................................. 36 1.7.2 Chapter Three: Scale and the natural in urban planning ............................................... 36 1.7.3 Chapter Four: Multi-scalar sustainable policy planning in East London ...................... 36 1.7.4 Chapter Five: East London and the 2012 Olympic legacy: socio-economic and physical transformations ............................................................................................................................. 37 1.7.5 Chapter Six: Localism and sustainable urban development along the Greenway ........ 37 1.7.6 Chapter Seven: Conclusion ........................................................................................... 37 2 Methods......................................................................................................................................... 38 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 38 2.2 Site-based analysis ................................................................................................................ 38 2.2.1 Walking ......................................................................................................................... 40 2.2.2 Observation, note-taking and photography ................................................................... 42 2.3 Discourse analysis ................................................................................................................. 44 2.3.1 Policy documents .......................................................................................................... 45 2.3.2 Interviews ...................................................................................................................... 46 iii 2.4 Survey ................................................................................................................................... 47 3 Scale and the natural in urban planning ........................................................................................ 49 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 49 3.2 Scalar constructions .............................................................................................................. 50 3.2.1 Idealism and materialism .............................................................................................. 50 3.2.2 The components of scalar metaphors ............................................................................ 52 3.2.3 Scale as discursive and performed ................................................................................ 55 3.2.4 Scale in the Localism Act 2011 .................................................................................... 57 3.3 Natural constructions ............................................................................................................ 59 3.3.1 The legacy of the Enlightenment .................................................................................. 59 3.3.2 The value of nature: intrinsic and instrumental ............................................................. 66 3.3.3 Natures on the Greenway .............................................................................................. 70 3.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 85 4 Multi-scalar sustainable policy planning in East London ............................................................. 87 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 87 4.2 The emergence of Localism