The Regional Studies Association invites contributions for a special issue of our blog focused on Asian Perspectives on Regional Development. This initiative seeks to explore how regions are conceptualized, governed, and experienced across diverse Asian contexts through place-based terminologies and frameworks.
This special issue aims to uncover the rich tapestry of regional concepts embedded in Asian languages and policy frameworks. We are particularly interested in how terms like “kasba” (काशबा, Hindi for market town), “qu yu” (区域, Mandarin for region), “지역” (jiyeok, Korean for region), “kawasan” (Indonesian for area/region), and other regionally-specific terminology shape understanding and policy approaches in ways that might differ from Eurocentric regional development paradigms.
This blog series serves as a collaborative platform for dialogue across diverse regional perspectives, creating space for mutual learning and exchange rather than privileging any single framework or approach to regional development.
Some Key Themes
We encourage contributors to explore any of these themes. These themes are suggestive and do not limit ideas for a potential special issue of the blog.
Conceptual Frameworks and Terminology
- What place-based spatial concepts in national languages capture regional relationships and how do they compare with dominant global terminologies?
Governance and Policy Implementation
- In what ways do formal institutional frameworks acknowledge or incorporate vernacular spatial understandings?
Lived Experiences and Communities
- How do everyday community experiences of “region” contrast with official policy designations?
Transnational and Global Dimensions
- How do Asian regional frameworks interact with global development paradigms?
Multi-scalar Approach
We welcome perspectives that explore regional concepts across multiple scales, including:
- Multinational regions (e.g., ASEAN, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)
- Transnational economic corridors (e.g., Greater Mekong Sub-region)
- Cross-border regions with shared cultural or environmental features
- Sub-national regions with distinct identities or governance structures
- Micro-regional formations (e.g., innovation clusters, cultural districts)
- Urban-rural interfaces and peri-urban spaces
If you have ideas you’d like to discuss or are unsure about any aspect of your potential contribution, please don’t hesitate to contact us before submitting. We welcome early conversations about your blog ideas.
Deadline: 30th June 2025
Find the guidelines here.
