An interpretation of Europe in planning and property development based on discourse analysis: The example of business sites

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Abstract
Discourse analysis, combined with an interactive and interpretive method, is used to approach the meaning and impact of ‘Europe’ for the development and planning of business sites. ‘European integration’, as a challenging metaphor of change, implies the transformation of their spatial and social organization. It is illustrated by the two opposite, but complementary, processes of ‘Europeanization’ and ‘site embeddedness’. ‘Europe’ is interpreted from both the discursive image (the metaphors at work) and identity (the territory at work) of business sites as a source of geographical uneven development. The paper proposes a reflection on the purpose of spatial metaphors in the field of business sites and shows why the meaning of a ‘business site’ should neither be used nor read as unproblematic. This focus on discourse analysis and discursive practices provides a conceptual and methodological tool allowing fruitful European comparisons of the development and planning of business sites.

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