There is an inherent contradiction in regional planning: “never before has the necessity for effective regional governance and planning been so great” (Soja 2015, p. 379) and yet there are those who argue “regional planning as we know it is now defunct and something we need to get used to” (Harrison et al 2021, p. 6).

Throughout the twentieth century, planning and planners were central to our understanding of cities and regions. Today, however, planning is facing powerful challenges – professionally, intellectually, practically – in ways arguably not seen before. Recent developments and trends are raising fundamental questions about how we plan regions. Planning is no longer solely the domain of professional planners but has been opened up to a diverse group of actors, each with their own interests. The study of cities and regions was traditionally taught in planning schools and geography departments, but this link with place and space disciplines is being steadily eroded as research increasingly takes place in and through interdisciplinary research institutes.

Against this backdrop, Regions in Evolution provides the first comprehensive account of a hitherto untold history of regions and planning. Told through the unique lens of regional studies, we bring to light the role of key individuals, groups and disciplines in shaping research agendas and debate. It reveals voices which were marginalised, planning ideas which were lost, approaches that keep coming back and challenges that persist. Believing passionately in the values and purpose of regional planning, while sceptical of the one-size-fits-all institutional form that Regional Planning often adopts, we develop an argument for planning regional futures based on a multitude of approaches, methods and strategies that might still require someone to make sense of it all – the planner.