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The construction of a trading zone as political strategy: A review of London infrastructure plan 2050

Abstract:

The recent London Infrastructure Plan 2050 appears as an attempt for comingup with innovative answers to infrastructure issues, aiming at providingnew spaces where different actors can collaborate, defining adequate visionsand governance bodies. Our hypothesis is that the plan can be interpretedthrough the relevant and yet ambiguous concept of 'trading zone',which highlights the setting up of new spaces for confrontation but alsoshows their use as political vehicles to advocate for increased powers andresources. To investigate the issue, the paper reviews the literature on theconcept of trading zone in order to discuss in this perspective the LondonInfrastructure Plan planning process. The analysis is developed as follows:after a theoretical discussion of trading zones and their relationship withinfrastructure planning processes, two significant aspects of the LondonInfrastructure Plan are examined: the stakeholders' engagement requiredby strategic planning processes, and the ongoing planning processes ofLondon, influenced by the Localism agenda. Consequently, the London InfrastructurePlan 2050 is described and reviewed in the light of its politicalstrategic meaning, providing a discussion of its vision, contents and planningprocess. The analysis uses and bkp_rediscusses the concept of tradingzone by observing how local authorities may use planning processes tostrategically position themselves and influence the complex governance ofinfrastructure planning.