Tracing the new economic geography of borders in Europe

Borders and border regions receive a special attention in the new post-1989 European architecture characterized by the processes of integration, transition and enlargement. What is actually happening to borders and border regions within this new environment? Are borders being abolished, weakened or are they being reproduced under a different pattern? What are the determinant factors which define the level and type of cross border interaction? This paper attempts to shed some light into the dynamics, perceptions and the new challenges concerning the “border phenomenon”. An empirical evidence is based on a survey at the Greek-Albanian-FYROM-Bulgarian border zone by analysing survey data. The survey, aims to evaluate a) the level and the type of cross-border interaction b) the obstacles and the limit of greater cross border interaction c) the existing perceptions and images of the other side of the borders d) the effectiveness of policies to stimulate interaction, e) the effects (positive and negative) of greater interaction on the border regions, f) the effects of EU enlargement on the c-b regions.

The New Economic Geography of the Northern Greek Border Regions

The European Union's eastward enlargement following 1st May 2004, has brought in the foreground a new geography in Europe, changing the EU's external borders. The re-allocation of activities, opportunities and threats are changing the role and significance of the borders. Within this context borders and border regions have become an issue of great importance during the last fifteen years in both the areas of scientific research and policy making. The overall picture of the new dynamics occurring at the external EU border regions, in particular, remains rather unclear. The issue being dealt in this article focuses on the dominant policies, practices and perceptions in the Northern Greek border regions with Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria. The region of our focus is one of the most economically, socially and politically fragmented space in Europe, that has a low level of interaction and a mosaic of policies and restrictions towards each other. The paper attempts to answer to which degree cross border interaction (CBI), cross border expectations (CBE) and cross border policies (CBC) are associated with geography, urban system, obstacles, images of the "others", real economy and other parameters. The empirical analysis is based on a survey carried out in nine cross border areas in the EU's external borders under the EXLINEA research program. The empirical work involved: a) Standardised questionnaires b) In depth interviews and c) focus group, data and document collection. Triangulation was used in the attempt to verify the validity of the various data sources as well as the methodology chosen

Tracing the new economic geography of borders in Europe

Borders and border regions receive a special attention in the new post-1989 European architecture characterized by the processes of integration, transition and enlargement. What is actually happening to borders and border regions within this new environment? Are borders being abolished, weakened or are they being reproduced under a different pattern? What are the determinant factors which define the level and type of cross border interaction? This paper attempts to shed some light into the dynamics, perceptions and the new challenges concerning the "border phenomenon”. An empirical evidence is based on a survey at the Greek-Albanian-FYROM-Bulgarian border zone by analysing survey data. The survey, aims to evaluate a) the level and the type of cross-border interaction b) the obstacles and the limit of greater cross border interaction c) the existing perceptions and images of the other side of the borders d) the effectiveness of policies to stimulate interaction, e) the effects (positive and negative) of greater interaction on the border regions, f) the effects of EU enlargement on the c-b regions

Detecting the Growth Pattern(s) of the EU Border Regions: A Convergence Clubs Approach.

The EU regions have been experiencing a period of unprecedented change. The ongoing (and parallel) processes of EU integration and enlargement have progressively transformed regional economies to integral parts of the emerging (European) socio-economic space, exposing them to the forces and the dynamics of a more competitive environment. Border regions, in particular, have been put in a state of flux since the re-(al)location of activities, opportunities and threats has changed over (the significance of) their role in the respective emerging (European) socio-economic map. Within the context of the aforementioned milieu, the paper aims at detecting and assessing growth determinants at the EU borderlands. This is an issue that has attracting increasing attention, especially after the creation of the Single European Market and the advent of the euro currency. However, the majority of border studies are enclaved in the “unitary case syndromeâ€Â, without providing substantial added value on border theory. Thus, the present study, following an interdisciplinary approach, compiles a spatial econometrics growth model, incorporating a series of inherent and acquired growth determinants (initial conditions). These determinants are not only quantitative (“hardâ€Â, “traditionalâ€Â) but also qualitative (“softâ€Â, “non-traditionalâ€Â), accentuating the complexity of border issues. The study area covers 349 EU NUTS III border regions, as they are specified by ESPON. The findings of the paper are going to provide valuable insight for the understanding of the determinants of growth in EU border regions, having important implications for both theory and policy-making.

Detecting the Growth Pattern(s) of the EU Border Regions: A Convergence Clubs Approach

The EU regions have been experiencing a period of unprecedented change. The ongoing (and parallel) processes of EU integration and enlargement have progressively transformed regional economies to integral parts of the emerging (European) socio-economic space, exposing them to the forces and the dynamics of a more competitive environment. Border regions, in particular, have been put in a state of flux since the re-(al)location of activities, opportunities and threats has changed over (the significance of) their role in the respective emerging (European) socio-economic map. Within the context of the aforementioned milieu, the paper aims at detecting and assessing growth determinants at the EU borderlands. This is an issue that has attracting increasing attention, especially after the creation of the Single European Market and the advent of the euro currency. However, the majority of border studies are enclaved in the "unitary case syndrome", without providing substantial added value on border theory. Thus, the present study, following an interdisciplinary approach, compiles a spatial econometrics growth model, incorporating a series of inherent and acquired growth determinants (initial conditions). These determinants are not only quantitative ("hard", "traditional") but also qualitative ("soft", "non-traditional"), accentuating the complexity of border issues. The study area covers 349 EU NUTS III border regions, as they are specified by ESPON. The findings of the paper are going to provide valuable insight for the understanding of the determinants of growth in EU border regions, having important implications for both theory and policy-making

The Determinants of Growth in EU Border Regions

The abolition of the artificial impediments of cross-border interaction has produced a new EU regional socioeconomic map, releasing dynamics that have influenced significantly the EU socioeconomic space. Especially at the borderlands, a new mix of opportunities and threats has come forth, putting EU border regions in a state of flux. The paper compiles a cross-section empirical econometric model that accounts for growth performance in the 349 EU NUTS III border regions during the period 2000-2006. The findings of the paper suggest that there is a series of inherent and acquired factors (initial conditions) that determine the growth performance in the EU border regions. These factors are both ('traditional') quantitative and qualitative ("soft"), indicating the complexity of border issues. The findings of the econometric investigation have important implications for both theory and policy

Territorial Cooperation and socio-economic development in the Old EU , New EU and Non EU

Territorial cooperation, taken as collaboration "beyond national boundaries", among administrative bodies and/or political actors, generally offers the ground for functional cooperation towards problem-solving and challenge-tackling, along with the exploitation of the local and regional potentials. In the EU, given the high-level of political integration amongst the Member States, numerous rules and structures have been created to support territorial cooperation. In this context, the territorial cooperation is commonly linked to ‘top-down' policy initiatives, most notably in INTERREG. The Europe 2020 strategy is linked to transnational territorial cooperation, especially through its third objective, aiming at inclusive growth and thereby contributing to the objective of territorial cohesion. The main aim of this essay is to examine the types, domains, driving forces and added value of territorial cooperation which occurs in EU and its neighboring regions. The paper attempts to shed some light upon the final results derived from a Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI), one of the main research tools of the TERCO Project, which stands for 'European Territorial Cooperation as a Factor of Growth, Jobs and Quality of Life', an ESPON Applied Research project under Priority 1 (2013/1/9). The survey, is based upon the empirical results derived from the fieldwork conducted in nine (9) Case Studies, along nineteen (19) countries classified in three groups (Old MS, New MS and Non MS), and three (3) non Europe countries (Morocco, Argentina and Uruguay). The findings of the analysis provide valuable information from a scientific and policy making angle

Spatial (in)justice and place-based strategies in innovation ecosystems: the case of the Alexander Innovation Zone in Thessaloniki

The concept of spatial justice relates to the fair and equitable distribution in space of socially valued resources and opportunities. In other words, spatial justice is the spatial dimension of social justice, placing more emphasis on the geography of distribution. On this basis, this paper examines the innovation ecosystem of the Alexander Innovation Zone of Thessaloniki in Greece. What is attempted is to scrutinise, through the lens of spatial justice, this state's initiative to deal at the regional level with innovation. This paper investigates whether a focus on localities and decentralisation would be better able to deliver the demands of spatial justice. The hypothesis to be tested is that equity in socially valued resources and opportunities can be better achieved through place-based strategies. Based upon empirical material, within the framework of the RELOCAL project (H2020, www.relocal.eu), this contribution attempts to shed some light on the aforementioned research hypothesis

Mehanizem spremljanja in ocenjevanja trajektorij pravičnega prehoda na področju energije

The primary aim of the European Green Deal is to move towards climate neutrality in a socially just and inclusive way. To this end, the EU has set up the so-called ‘Just Transition Mechanism’ (JTM), which will provide funding and technical assistance to the regions of the EU most affected by the transition to a green economy. However, in addition to securing sufficient resources and providing technical assistance for their utilisation, a critical factor for the successful outcome of the transition in coal-dependent regions is the establishment of effective monitoring/assessment mechanisms and place-based governance models. This reflects the departure of European politics from horizontal and one-size-fits-all policies. This is done for two reasons: (a) the utilisation of local knowledge and local territorial capital deals better with problems and (b) the transfer of the level of decision-making and implementation of policies as close as possible to the citizens to whom they concern. An effective governance modelhowever, should be accompanied by an effective mechanism for scientifically monitoring, analysing, evaluating, and formulating substantiated policy proposals. Setting up and operating a Just Transition Observatory could be a valuable support mechanism, provided it has the presumption of multi-level expertise and objectivity, deep knowledge of local specificities and legitimacy to institutionally represent the public interest at the local level. Such an Observatory could function as an independent evaluation body (with periodic reports or focused studies) in the course of the Energy Transition Programmes, identifying potential difficulties, recording impacts, results and outcomes, as well as providing policy recommendations. Given that Just Transition Plans include a number of important transformational policies and transformative plans, the crucial question that arises is whether regional and central policy makers have the tools to evaluate these transformational policies and transformative projects. In this regard, it is necessary to design evaluation models based on predefined indicators and criteria that will be jointly defined in the context of public consultation. This will ensure objectivity on the basis of commonly agreed indicators and objectives, while also guaranteeing the legitimacy and acceptance of both strategic policies and specific investment plans. This paper attempts to examine to what extent there is room for the establishment of ‘Just Transition Observatories’ Platforms along the coal-dependent areas. More specifically, the potential of such mechanism to monitor, analyse and evaluate clean energy transition, and provide robust policy recommendations, will be explored. To this end, Just Transition Observatories will operate as an independent evaluation mechanism producing evidence-based reports and studies on clean energy transition. Thus, the Observatories will be able to deliver periodic reports based on indicators, comparative analysis and policy recommendations. In addition to this, such mechanisms could enhance networking at the EU, national and local level, mobilising scientific dialogue and debate on clean energy transition.Primarni cilj evropskega zelenega dogovora je premik k podnebni nevtralnosti na socialno pravičen in vključujoč način. V ta namen je EU vzpostavila t. i. Mehanizem za pravični prehod (JTM), ki bo zagotovil finančno in tehnično pomoč regijam EU, ki jih je prehod v zeleno gospodarstvo najbolj prizadel. Poleg zagotavljanja zadostnih virov in tehnične pomoči za njihovo uporabo pa je ključni dejavnik za uspešen prehod v regijah, odvisnih od premoga, vzpostavitev učinkovitih mehanizmov spremljanja/ocenjevanja in modelov upravljanja na podlagi krajev, kar izraža odmik evropske politike od horizontalnih politik in politike ene velikosti za vse. To se izvaja iz dveh razlogov: (a) uporaba lokalnega znanja in lokalnega teritorialnega kapitala učinkovitejše rešuje probleme in (b) prenos ravni odločanja in izvajanja politik čim bližje državljanom, ki se jih neposredno tičejo. Učinkovit model upravljanja pa mora spremljati učinkovit mehanizem znanstvenega opazovanja, analiziranja, ocenjevanja in oblikovanja utemeljenih političnih predlogov. Vzpostavitev in delovanje Observatorija za pravični prehod bi lahko bil dragocen podporni mehanizem, če bi imel predpostavko o večnivojskem strokovnem znanju in objektivnosti, globokem poznavanju lokalnih posebnosti in legitimnosti za institucionalno zastopanje javnega interesa na lokalni ravni. Takšen observatorij bi lahko deloval kot neodvisno ocenjevalno telo (z občasnimi poročili ali osredotočenimi študijami) poteka programov energetskega prehoda, pri čemer bi prepoznaval morebitne težave, beležil vplive, rezultate in izide ter tudi predlagal politična priporočila. Glede na to, da načrti pravičnega prehoda vključujejo številne pomembne transformacijske politike in transformativne načrte, se postavlja ključno vprašanje, ali imajo regionalni in centralni oblikovalci politik orodja za ovrednotenje teh transformacijskih politik in transformativnih projektov. Pri tem je potrebno oblikovati modele vrednotenja na podlagi vnaprej določenih indikatorjev in meril, ki jih bomo opredelili v okviru javne razprave. To bo na eni strani zagotovilo objektivnost na podlagi skupno dogovorjenih kazalnikov in ciljev ter na drugi strani legitimnost in sprejemljivost tako strateških politik kot posebnih naložbenih načrtov. Ta dokument skuša preučiti, v kolikšni meri obstaja prostor za vzpostavitev platform observatorijev za pravični prehod vzdolž območij, ki so odvisna od premoga. Natančneje bo preučen potencial mehanizma za opazovanje, analizo in vrednotenje prehoda na čisto energijo ter za zagotavljanje trdnih političnih priporočil. V ta namen bodo observatoriji pravičnega prehoda delovali kot neodvisen ocenjevalni mehanizem, ki bo pripravljal poročila in študije o prehodu na čisto energijo, ki temeljijo na dokazih. Na podlagi tega bodo observatoriji lahko predložili redna poročila, ki bodo temeljila na kazalnikih, primerjalnih analizah in priporočilih politike. Poleg tega bi lahko takšni mehanizmi okrepili povezovanje tako na ravni EU kot na nacionalni in lokalni ravni ter spodbudili znanstveni dialog in razpravo o prehodu na čisto energijo