Leisure-related mobility of elderly people: ways to sustainability

Owing to grown life expectancy as well as increasing financial scope, car ownership and possession of driving licences, the elderly of today have numerous opportunities regarding their leisure activities. Serious health problems and social constraints are generally infrequent before the age of about 80. Thus, the first 10-20 years of retirement are characterized by good health and the absence of occupational and/or family commitments, allowing for an active leisure life. Leisure-related mobility among the elderly relies increasingly on private vehicles. Car use is the basis for a wider activity space, including locations that are far away and/or badly accessible by means of public transport. The resulting increase in motorized leisure-related traffic has negative ecological impacts. Thus, the question arises of how the elder population's leisure mobility can take place in a more sustainable manner. Within the FRAME project, 4,500 people aged 60+ were interviewed regarding their leisure activities. The empirical results give detailed information about determinants of and motives for leisure-related mobility. While leisure activities are largely determined by individual factors like health or car availability, other factors like settlement patterns and local leisure infrastructure also have significant influence. Therefore samples were taken from urban, suburban and rural areas. The FRAME household survey shows in how far elderly people from diverse sample areas differ with regard to their leisure activities, means of transport and distances travelled. To start with, the results show differences between sample groups from urban, suburban and rural areas. In addition, there are also variations within these three spatial categories. The paper intends to illustrate to what extent leisure-related mobility of the elderly is influenced by diverse spatial structures as well as the personal situation. We will discuss how individual residential settings affect leisure activities. Moreover, we will investigate the relation between infrastructure (local offers in leisure activities, transportation, etc.) and participation in local leisure activities and the selection of distant localities respectively. The results show, not surprisingly, large variations due to diverse equipments with leisure facilities. Interestingly, we also found substantial qualitative differences between urban, suburban and rural facilities resulting in distinct spatial orientation patterns. The results illustrating the relationship between spatial context and leisure-related traffic are used to evaluate which settlement structure is favourable to sustainable leisure mobility. We will identify local settings minimising leisure-related traffic and thus pollution. This aspect bears particular importance as the recreational wants of the growing number of elderly people have to be supplied. Attempting to mediate ecological and social demands, the paper aims to identify a set of conditions for the location and design of leisure facilities. These should promote sustainable mobility.

Entry-rates, the share of surviving businesses and employment growth: differences between West and East Germany since unification

Entry-Rates, survival-rates and growth-rates vary considerably between regions. The aim of our paper is firstly to point out these differences in Germany as a whole. It will be shown how these three parameters work together. Are there regions in which all three are favourable for newly founded firms? Sternberg (2000) states that it is to be expected that in regions with high rates of entry the survival-rates should be high, too. This is because a convenient environment for the founding of new firms should be equally favourable for the further development of these firms. With a database that covers all newly founded establishments since 1983 (West-Germany) resp. 1992 (East-Germany), cohorts of each year can be analysed until the year 2000. In a second step we will analyse east - west differences since the unification. Newly founded firms are of outstanding importance for the development of the market economy in eastern Germany. The transition of the economic system came as a shock to existing firms and led to an enormous boom in the establishment of new firms. Brixy & Kohaut (1999) showed that shortly after unification a kind of 'start-window' existed during which the conditions for establishment, growth and survival of new firms were extraordinarily good. Now 12 years after the unification it can be shown, that founding-rates, growth-rates and survival-rates in both parts of Germany came into line. But there are sizeable regional differences in both parts. A in-depths comparison gives the possibility to compare the performance of special types of business over time and space in different cohorts. This should lead to a better understanding of the regional problems faced by regional economies.

Regional patterns and determinants of new firm formation and survival in western Germany

"There is a large body of literature on the determinants of regional variation in new firm formation. In contrast there are few articles on the spatial differences in new firm survival. Using panel data we analyse both items for 74 western German regions over a ten-year period. The positive relationship between entry and exit which is often stated suggests a negative correlation between entry and survival. On the other hand, however, it seems convincing that regions with high birth rates should also have high survival rates, because a favourable environment for the founding of new firms should also be encouraging for the development of these firms. However, an analysis of both rates for 74 western German regions over a ten-year period reveals the existence of a negative relationship in general. This means that the survival rates are below average in regions with high birth rates. Despite this overall correlation, however, it is shown that the spatial pattern of a combination of both rates is complex, and all types of possible relationships exist. With a multivariate panel analysis we study the factors that influence regional birth and survival rates using the same set of independent variables. It is shown that in the service sector most variables literally work in opposite directions in the birth and survival rates models. But this does not hold for the manufacturing sector. This can be rated as evidence for the 'supportive environment thesis'. The reason for this is a completely different outcome of the estimated birth rates models for both industry sectors, whereas there are only minor differences in the estimated survival rate models. We can therefore deduce firstly that the two industries have different requirements for their 'seed bed' but not for their further successful development; and secondly, that the spatial structures which increase the number of newly founded businesses in the service sector are detrimental to the survival rates of newly founded firms." (author's abstract

Bonn, après le transfert de la capitale

Bonn's loss of capital functions including the move of Parliament and large parts of the Federal Government to Berlin resulted in substantial economic losses for the city and its surroundings. The Berlin/Bonn Act provides for numerous compensation measures. They include the move of other federal institutions to Bonn and financial compensation amounting to 1.436 billion Euro. Positive developments in the information and communications sector could balance relocation losses and simultaneous employment reductions in secondary industry. As the bulk of financial compensation is for upgrading the region's scientific and academic infrastructure (two Fachhochschulen, high technology research centre «caesar » et al.), future positive spillover effects are expected.Avec le déménagement du Parlement et de l'essentiel du gouvernement, la perte de la fonction de capitale a porté de rudes coups à l'économie de la ville de Bonn et de sa région. La loi Bonn/Berlin a prévu de nombreuses mesures de compensation, consistant en l'installation d'autres institutions fédérales et l'octroi de subventions à hauteur de 1,44 milliard d'euros. On doit principalement à l'essor du secteur de l'information et des communications le fait d'avoir contrebalancé aussi bien les pertes liées au transfert politique que les suppressions d'emplois survenues au même moment dans le secteur industriel. La plus grande partie des subventions étant destinée à l'extension de l'infrastructure scientifique, encore poursuivie (I.U.T., centre de recherches de hautes technologies "CAESAR" etc .), on peut en attendre d'autres effets positifs à venir.Grotz Reinhold, Riquet Pierre. Bonn, après le transfert de la capitale. In: Hommes et Terres du Nord, 2002/4. L'Allemagne. pp. 24-32

Australians Rolle im Pazifischen Wirtschaftsraum

Australia is the cornerstone of the most economically dynamic metropolitan area southwest of the earth. Observers see the resource-rich and highly developed country requires a good chance to participate in the growth of the circum space. (Author). Beobachter sehen für das rohstoffreiche und hochentwickelte Land gute Chancen voraus, am Wachstum des zirkumpazifischen Raumes teilzuhaben. Doch die Auslandsverschuldung Australiens nahm in den letzten Jahren dramatisch zu. But Australia's foreign debt increased dramatically in recent years. (Autor)

Innovation et intégration régionale: le rôle des réseaux manufacturiers dans l'industrie allemande d'ingénierie mécanique

Cet article examine la pertinence et la viabilité des réseaux innovateurs de petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) dans trois environnements industriels différents en Allemagne. Il repose sur des entrevues en profondeur auprès de 155 PME de I’industrie d’ingénierie mécanique. Les résultats empiriques révèlent que les réseaux régionaux sont fortement redevables des traits dominants de chaque région analysée. De faibles liens et des relations d’échanges d’innovation sont moins limités spatialement qu’on le pensait. Dans plusieurs cas, l’accès à diverses formes de contacts interrégionaux réticulaires est beaucoup plus important. En général, la compétitivité provient plus des stratégies individuelles que des réseaux intensifs régionaux. Ces conclusions doivent être prises en compte lorsque le concept de réseau est utilisé pour mettre en place des politiques d'économie régionale.This paper examines the relevance and viability of innovation-oriented networks of small and medium-sized enteprises (SMEs) in three differently structured industrial environments in Germany. It is mainly based on in-depth interviews in 155 SMEs of the mechanical engineering industry. Empirical results suggest that regional networks are hardly dominant features of the surveyed areas. Weak ties and innovation-oriented relationships are less spatially restricted than generally assumed. In many cases, the access of inter-regional contact networks is much more important. Generally, competitiveness is pursued more through individual firm strategies than through intensified regional networking. This has to be considered if network concepts are to be translated into regional economic policies.Este artículo examina la pertinencia y la viabilidad de redes de innovación de pequeñas y medianas empresas (PyMEs) en tres entornos industriales diferentes de Alemania. Se basa en la realización de entrevistas en profundidad a 155 PyMEs del sector de la ingeniería mecánica. Los resultados empíricos sugieren que las redes regionales están muy marcadas por los rasgos característicos de cada región analizada. Los débiles lazos y las relaciones de intercambio de innovación están menos limitadas espacialmente de lo que se pensaba. En muchos casos, el acceso a diversas formas de contacto con redes interregionales es mucho más importante. En general, la competitividad viene dada más por las estrategias individuales que a través de redes intensivas regionales. Estas conclusiones deben ser tenidas en cuenta cuando el concepto de red se considera en las políticas de economía regional

Territorial or Trans-territorial Networking: Spatial Aspects of Technology-oriented Cooperation within the German Mechanical Engineering Industry

GROTZ R. and BRAUN B. (1997) Territorial or trans-territorial networking: spatial aspects of technology-oriented cooperation within the German mechanical engineering industry, Reg. Studies 31, 545-557. This study examines the relevance and viability of innovation-oriented networks of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in three differently structured industrial environments in Germany. It is mainly based on in-depth interviews in 155 SMEs of the mechanical engineering industry and with regional innovation consultants. Empirical results suggest that regional networks are hardly dominant features of the surveyed areas. Weak ties and innovation-oriented relationships are far less spatially restricted than generally assumed. In many cases, the access to interregional contact networks is much more important, especially for technology-intensive firms. Generally, technological change and competitiveness are pursued more through individual product-oriented firm strategies than through intensified regional networking. This has to be considered if network concepts are to be translated into regional economic policies. GROTZ R. et BRAUN B. (1997) Le maillage territorial ou transfrontalier: des aspects geographiques de la cooperation technologique au sein de l'industrie de la construction mecanique en Allemagne, Reg. Studies 31, 545-557. Cette etude cherch a examiner l'importance et la faisabilite des reseaux orientes vers l'innovation et comportant des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) situees dans trois environnements industriels allemands dont les structures se distinguent. Dans une large mesure l'etude est fondee sur des interviews detaillees menees dans 155 PME de l'industrie de la construction mecanique et avec des conseillers techniques regionaux. Les resultats laissent supposer que les reseaux regionaux ne constituent guere des aspects qui predominent dans les zones en question. Des liens faibles et des rapports orientes vers l'innovation sont beaucoup moins limites du point de vue geographique que l'on n'avait prevu. Dans beaucoup des cas, l'acces aux reseaux interregionaux s'avere beaucoup plus important surtout pour les entreprises a fort niveau technologiquea. En regle generale, la recherche de la transformation technologique et de la competivitese fait de plus en plus par des strategies d'entreprise individuelles orientees vers les produits que par une intensification du maillage regional. Cela doit meriter quelque reflexion si la notion de maillage va se traduire en des politiques economiques regionales. GROTZ R. und BRAUN B. (1997) Territoriales oder transterritoriales Netzwerken: raumliche Aspekte technologisch orientierter Zusammenarbeit in der deutschen Maschinenbauindustrie, Reg. Studies 31, 545-557. Diese Studie untersucht die Bedeutung und Funktionsweise von innovationsorientierten Netzwerken von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen(KMU)in drei unterschiedlich strukturierten Industrieraumen in Deutschland. Sie beruht im wesentlichen auf halbstandardisierten Interviews in 155 KMU des Maschinenbaus und verwandter Industriezweige sowie mit regionalen Innovationsberatern. Die empirischen Ergebnisse zeigen, dass regionale Netzwerke keine bestimmenden Kennzeichen der Untersuchungsraume sind. Kooperative und innovationsorientierte Beziehungen sind sehr viel weniger raumlich begrenzt als gemeinhin angenommen. Vielfach ist der Zugang zu uberregionalen Netzwerken vor allem fur technologieintensive Unternehmen wichtiger. Generell werden der technologische Wandel und der Erhalt der Wettbewerbsfahigkeit eher uber einzelbetriebliche, produktorientierte Strategien als durch die Einbindung in enge regionale Netzwerke verfolgt. Dies muss bedacht werden, wenn Netzwerkkonzepte in regionale Wirtschaftspolitik umgesetzt werden sollen.Enterprise Networks, Innovative Milieux, Industrial Districts, Small And Medium Sized Enterprises, Mechanical Engineering Industry, Subcontracting,