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Foreword
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4-1, July 2014
Pages:
1-3
Received:
13 May 2014
Accepted:
13 May 2014
Published:
14 June 2014
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Territorial Cohesion and Regional Competitiveness: Defining Key-Notions in the EU's Regional Policy
Bernard Elissalde,
Frédéric Santamaria
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4-1, July 2014
Pages:
4-12
Received:
8 April 2014
Accepted:
9 May 2014
Published:
14 June 2014
Abstract: By using three types of sources (official sources of the European Union, results of a questionnaire to practitioners, results of applied researches on European spatial planning), we demonstrate that no precise definitions can be given of two main notions of European spatial planning. This result is coherent with the literature on this field. This situation questions the operational interest of such notions. Some consider that a “pragmatic” view must be adopted. For them, research on that field should take into account what the notions are "doing" instead of trying to understand what "are" these notions. Nevertheless, a strictly pragmatic approach evades the issue of the choice of policies that are always normative (or “essentialist”).
Abstract: By using three types of sources (official sources of the European Union, results of a questionnaire to practitioners, results of applied researches on European spatial planning), we demonstrate that no precise definitions can be given of two main notions of European spatial planning. This result is coherent with the literature on this field. This s...
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The Territorial Dimension of “Europe 2020”: Mapping European Regions under the Strategy to Emerge from the Crisis
Rubén Camilo Lois González,
Valerià Paül,
Juan-Manuel Trillo-Santamaría
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4-1, July 2014
Pages:
13-27
Received:
16 May 2014
Accepted:
21 May 2014
Published:
14 June 2014
Abstract: The Europe 2020 Strategy (EU2020S) was launched by the European Commission (EC) in November 2009. The consolidated official document of the EU2020S constitutes a Communication from the Commission published in March 2010, being finally adopted by the European Council on the 17th of June 2010 in a meeting held in Brussels. The EU2020S has as meaningful subtitle: “a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth”. That is to say, the EU2020S, first and foremost, seeks growth and considers that this prime objective must be achieved through three priorities, also known as pillars. If the strategic document of the EU for the decade 2000-2010 was the so-called Lisbon Strategy, the intended strategic document for the decade 2010-2020 is the EU2020S. Mainly, the need of a new strategic direction of the EU is motivated by the crisis context. The EU2020S contains eight headline targets that are set for being achieved by 2020. In short, the EU2020S indicates the basic direction that the EU economy should follow and this direction is intended to be measurable by means of some indicators, that is, the headline targets. For the purpose of the SIESTA Project, devoted to grasp the regional dimension of the EU2020S, all these objectives have been considered to be indicators to be mapped, mainly at NUTS 2 level. This way, the project seeks overcoming what some specialists have called the “territorially blind” dimension of the EU2020S. This paper presents the main results of the SIESTA Project by showing the maps directly related with the targets which the EU2020S issues to measure its fulfilment. Additionally, in order to assess the overall fulfilment of the EU2020S, a composite index has also been developed. It measures the distance of regions from the eight EU2020S headline targets: a region would score 100 if it had reached all eight targets, while a region furthest away from all eight targets would score 0. This methodology was inspired by the Lisbon index of the 5th Cohesion Report.
Abstract: The Europe 2020 Strategy (EU2020S) was launched by the European Commission (EC) in November 2009. The consolidated official document of the EU2020S constitutes a Communication from the Commission published in March 2010, being finally adopted by the European Council on the 17th of June 2010 in a meeting held in Brussels. The EU2020S has as meaningf...
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Entrepreneurship and Territorial Behavior. How to Exercise Competitiveness in Sustainability in Europe
Maria Prezioso,
Maria Coronato
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4-1, July 2014
Pages:
28-45
Received:
8 May 2014
Accepted:
28 May 2014
Published:
14 June 2014
Abstract: The paper focuses on territorial impacts of the European policy with regards to the enterprise systems in the last decade and how the effects of this policy could have irreparable modified the enterprise network relationships (socio-functional and interrelated/cohesive) in regions. This suspicion has suggested European choices include the territorial dimension in the development directions by the intra and inter-regional co-operation. The searching new forms of balanced growth for enterprise is the future objective; it could be followed by assuming a territorial polycentric cohesive organization. Important European documents, like Europe 2020 Strategy and Territorial Agenda (2011), stress this orientation. A critical review of Economic Geography literature with regards to main localisation theories of enterprise opens this contribution, in order to accompany the reader in understanding of new strategic parameters able to measure `the regional productive capability' of enterprises in the framework of European recent directions. By using innovative methodologies, the performance of enterprise systems and networks looking at these parameters, highlights European specific territorialised typologies of behaviour. Finally, some policy recommendations are suggested in this direction in order to improve the regional productivity, as well as the employment in relation with to specific economic-social-environmental parameters of cohesion and competitiveness in sustainability, looking at the regional productive capability of Small/Medium Firms (SMFs) in Europe with regards to main pillars of the 2014-2020 Strategy.
Abstract: The paper focuses on territorial impacts of the European policy with regards to the enterprise systems in the last decade and how the effects of this policy could have irreparable modified the enterprise network relationships (socio-functional and interrelated/cohesive) in regions. This suspicion has suggested European choices include the territori...
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Synaptic Spaces of Europe: A Challenge for Spatial Planning
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4-1, July 2014
Pages:
46-56
Received:
16 May 2014
Accepted:
21 May 2014
Published:
14 June 2014
Abstract: On the background of contemporary rescaling process and of the current broad rethinking of some relevant concepts – such as “region”, “territory”, “locality”, and “space” – the case of the Baltic Sea Macro-Region, and of the related place-based EU successful «experimentalist» strategies highlights the emerging of «soft spaces» as new forms of territorial organisations. These clearly appear as a result of EU “soft” (“lateral”) territorial approach outlining a really innovative multileveled spatial pattern. By using a biological metaphor these soft spaces may be intended as «synaptic spaces» clearly claiming for a radical shift in planning approaches, by moving towards soft and synaptic planning practices involving «’soft process’ of negotiation and learning». Features of these spatial configurations drawing new continental geographies are explored by highlighting the role both of images/imaginaries and historical/geographical/cultural roots, to be used (re-interpreted) in the de-construction/re-construction of the contemporary European spatiality. In this sense, we may say that, according to Faludi «geography still matters» (and also history!). In fact, Baltic Sea cooperative networks (that is: the basis of the new EU strategy) can be seen as a return to what once was an important communication channel for thousand of years and flourishing trade in the region. The model is that of the Hanse League, based on flexible not hierarchical (mainly economic) «weak ties» – or «loose coupling» – among autonomous cities (but not exclusively), which share a transnational unbounded Hanseatic “space” (not “territory”) and which are periodically (not always) able to act as a collective actor to achieve local collective competition goods avoiding the «trap of joint decision». It remains to be seen whether such a strategy – which has proved successful in the Baltic area – will be so effectively applied to other specific spatial and cultural contexts (with their differences in challenges and potentials), such as the Danube corridor, or to the much more “explosive” Mediterranean basin.
Abstract: On the background of contemporary rescaling process and of the current broad rethinking of some relevant concepts – such as “region”, “territory”, “locality”, and “space” – the case of the Baltic Sea Macro-Region, and of the related place-based EU successful «experimentalist» strategies highlights the emerging of «soft spaces» as new forms of terri...
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Analysis on Regional Vulnerability to Rising Energy Prices: Focus on Sardinia (Italy)
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4-1, July 2014
Pages:
57-60
Received:
27 February 2014
Accepted:
27 May 2014
Published:
14 June 2014
Abstract: The paper analyzes the impact of the increasing energy costs on regional economic performances. In particular, the study focuses on the impact of energy costs on the transport system, with particular reference to the maritime transport, attributing it directly to the relevant importance of the local tourism industry. It shows the high dependence of the local economic system on the regional transport system both internally and externally, and consequently the loss of regional competitiveness as a result of rising oil prices. Moreover the work reviews the principal local policy measures about energy strategies and it highlights the low use of renewable energy sources in spite of the high regional PV potential recognised in several environmental researches.
Abstract: The paper analyzes the impact of the increasing energy costs on regional economic performances. In particular, the study focuses on the impact of energy costs on the transport system, with particular reference to the maritime transport, attributing it directly to the relevant importance of the local tourism industry. It shows the high dependence of...
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Regions at Risk of Energy Poverty: The Case of Apulia. Between Potential and Limitations of the Regional Planning for the 2007-2013 Programming Cycle
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4-1, July 2014
Pages:
61-73
Received:
12 May 2014
Accepted:
12 May 2014
Published:
14 June 2014
Abstract: At the Community level, in recent years, the issues on poverty and energy efficiency as well as the socio-economic impacts are the basis of several political debates. The development of the European territory is having to deal with different mega trends and impacts of policies, in particular the increase in energy prices and the emergence of a new energy paradigm have significant territorial impacts. In fact, some regions are more vulnerable than others because of their socio-economic, climatic and geographic conditions and transportation. However variations in energy prices can offer significant development opportunities for regions able to exploit their potential for renewable energy production and/or to introduce innovations in related industries. The main research themes of the ReRisk project (Regions at Risk of Energy Poverty) are the impacts of the new European energy policy and of prices on economic competitiveness and social cohesion in Europe. The project instead of focusing on energy infrastructure, which is mostly at the heart of studies in the field of energy, looks to a large extent on the consumption side of energy. The policy recommendations of ReRisk do not limit only on energy policy, but the energy is a cross-cutting issue at the regional level. The aim is to reduce the vulnerability of regions in the short term and improve their adaptive capacity in the medium-long term. Starting from ReRisk research, the paper analyses the case of Apulia. The region is characterized by a strong dependence on fossil fuels, by a social, infrastructural, economic and problematic situation, but at the same time it has good potential on a national scale for solar and wind power system which if valued and supported by appropriate policies could represent a significant turning point. Starting from a general description of the Italian context, by searching and combining data from official sources and the main regional plans for 2007-2013 cycle programming, the paper describes the Apulia’s context and at last summarize the results in a SWOT Analysis to evaluate intervention policies still in progress, showing their strengths, weaknesses, limitations, but also future opportunities.
Abstract: At the Community level, in recent years, the issues on poverty and energy efficiency as well as the socio-economic impacts are the basis of several political debates. The development of the European territory is having to deal with different mega trends and impacts of policies, in particular the increase in energy prices and the emergence of a new ...
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Anthropogenic Activity and Regional Vulnerability to Change: The Case of Sardinia (Italy)
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4-1, July 2014
Pages:
74-78
Received:
29 May 2014
Accepted:
3 June 2014
Published:
14 June 2014
Abstract: The paper contributes to the debate on the relationship between economic growth and environmental limits. The analysis is conducted on a regional scale and focuses on the development of a pressure indicator which is the correlation between the performance (in Added Value terms) of each economic anthropogenic activity and its relative level of pollution. Using a comparison between the results produced by the pressure indicator and other indicators used in the literature, it is possible to work out a more coherent view of the regional relationship between climate change and economic growth.
Abstract: The paper contributes to the debate on the relationship between economic growth and environmental limits. The analysis is conducted on a regional scale and focuses on the development of a pressure indicator which is the correlation between the performance (in Added Value terms) of each economic anthropogenic activity and its relative level of pollu...
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Polymer Wastes and Management in Cities and Towns of Africa and Sustainable Environment: Nigeria and European Experiences
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4-1, July 2014
Pages:
79-88
Received:
12 May 2014
Accepted:
12 May 2014
Published:
14 June 2014
Abstract: Polymer wastes litter everywhere. The objective of the paper is to assess the quantity and effects in the cities and towns with a view to make suggestions for globule in the risks of resultant environmental degradation for sustainable environment. The plants and facilities for manufacturing were visited. 9 Research Assistants were used for data and information collection. Market women and dealers were forth coming in the quantity sold per month/year; wastes generated; challenges and means of eluding the challenges. Directors, Environment in the States visited also gave information on the enormity of plastic wastes and their impact. They offered suggestion for sustainable environment. A dump each in 30 Nigerian cities and towns were studied for ten years, 2003 - 2012. Composition, quantity and spread of plastic wastes were examined. Literature on plastic wastes and management in European countries were read. Impacts were studied and compared with European cities. 80 photographic snaps were taken of polymer wastes and sceneries of visible consequences. Maps, graphs, charts, tables and percentiles were used for data analysis and presentation. Averagely, polymer wastes constitute 28.00% of the wastes found at dumps and around streets, residential, recreational and other public places. The concentrations are highest at recreation and residential areas. They are non-degradable; and every moment, there are additions. On the average, less than 12% are recycled annually. The recycling is not absolute. A time will come when there may be no substratum for plant growth. They are hide-outs and breeding grounds for disease vectors, animals and insects; and even, hoodlums; it destroys the aesthetic value of the physical environment: atmosphere, water bodies and soil. There are neither special technologies nor policies and programmes for special collection, transportation and disposal as obtained in most of the European cities and towns. Government may have to borrow leaves from Europe and invest massively on research and development and campaign for reducing, reusing and recycling the polymer wastes. Respecting the urban physical environment for sustainable development in Nigeria and generally in Africa is recommended.
Abstract: Polymer wastes litter everywhere. The objective of the paper is to assess the quantity and effects in the cities and towns with a view to make suggestions for globule in the risks of resultant environmental degradation for sustainable environment. The plants and facilities for manufacturing were visited. 9 Research Assistants were used for data and...
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