Special Session 01: Territorial Identity and Development

Convenors: Oana-Ramona ILOVAN and Marinela ISTRATE

Session description
Territorial identity involves both the place attachment and belonging and the politics of territorial planning. Territorial belonging and territorial attractiveness are elements with strategic relevance for development at various levels. Therefore, territorial identity is relevant for building the social capital so useful during the processes of development and territorial planning. Various types of identity (place, urban, regional, national, cultural, personal, community, etc.) have been proven to contribute to the identity of place, as these are viewed in relation to its historical heritage and characteristics. At the same time, local identity harbours emotional and symbolic meanings people ascribe to a sense of self and attachment to place. The concern about territorial identity and development is part of the same trend that occurred in the academic and political environment after the 1990s, when it became obvious that there was a strong connection between these and economic growth.
The session starts from a relational, dynamic and participatory notion of territorial identity. Therefore, this session will host the results of original empirical and theoretical scientific research on territorial identity and its relation to development.

We welcome contributions on the following topics of interest, but not limited to these:

  • Territorial identity and community development (rural and urban)
  • Territorial identity and regional development
  • Territorial identity and regional inequalities
  • Territorial identity and territorial planning
  • Territorial identity and public policy (including gender policies)
  • Representations of territorial identity and development: discourses, images, practices
  • Research methodology for the study of territorial identity


Please send your title and paper abstracts by October 10th 2020.


Oana-Ramona ILOVAN
Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca
e-mail: ilovanoana@yahoo.com

Marinela ISTRATE
Faculty of Geography and Geology, Al. I. Cuza University, Iaşi
e-mail: marinelaistrate75@yahoo.com

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