We are pleased to announce the launch of a new AESOP Thematic Group: Rural Planning, officially approved during the Council of Representatives meeting held in Liverpool in March 2025.
The group is coordinated by:
- Prof. Menelaos Gkartzios, Izmir Institute of Technology (Turkey) and Newcastle University (UK); from July 2025, Middle East Technical University (Turkey)
- Prof. Mark Scott, University College Dublin (Ireland)
- Prof. Nick Gallent, University College London (UK)
Thematic Focus:
The AESOP Rural Planning Thematic Group aims to explore and advance research and practice related to rural spatial development and governance. Challenging traditional narratives of rural areas as static or peripheral, the group addresses the complex and evolving challenges these regions face—such as land-use conflicts, mobility, environmental crises, and socio-economic transformation.
Through comparative research, academic exchange, and collaborative initiatives, the group seeks to:
- Promote knowledge sharing on rural planning issues
- Encourage cross-national research and collaboration
- Support early-career scholars through mentoring
- Engage with international networks focused on rural planning
We look forward to following and supporting the group's activities as they begin their work within the AESOP community.
➡️ More details and updates will be made available on the AESOP website soon.
