The South Coast Region Economic Partnership : an introductory overview

(Department of Geography) in May/June 1997, during which the Department's involvement in research xmderpinning the proposed South Coast Region Economic Partnership (SCREP) was warmly welcomed. It was agreed that it would be helpfol to produce a brief collaborative discussion paper which would (a) signify the Department's positive attitude towards involvement in this initiative and (b) provide an independent overview of some relevant issues. As editor of the paper I am indebted to several colleagues, all current members of the human geography staff of the Department of Geography, who participated in the discussions and provided inputs towards this document: Dr Department of Geography at the University of Southampton later in 1997 as a professor ofhuman geography. Individual contributors are not identified in the text. Discussion Papers are usually regarded as preliminary, working papers, intended for modification in the hght of comments received. Further analysis may lead to the preparation of papers or reports fbcussed upon specific issues. In this case, continued collaboration between the Southampton City Council and the Department of Geography may involve more detailed investigations leading to pubhshed results hkely to be usefiil in the context of urban and regional planning. Summary This paper is a preliminary, working report designed as a contribution to current debates on the South Coast Region Economic Partnership. It comprises a summary of viewpoints offered by a range of individuals-primarily human geographers but including one political scientist-within the framework of a simple SWOT analysis. The collated opitiions presented here underpin some well-recognised characteristics and provide some original insights into controversial issues.