An article examined the relative contribution of the knowledge-based and the consumption-based sectors to the economic development of cities, using data from the period 1995-2005. The proportion employed in knowledge-based sectors was significantly higher in cities than in the non-city regions, whereas there were no significant differences in the proportion employed in consumption-based sectors between cities and non-city regions.
Source: Andrew Johnston, 'The economic performance of UK cities, 1995-2005: driven by knowledge-based sectors or consumption-based sectors?', European Planning Studies, Volume 19 Issue 12
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined the requirement on the European Union under the Lisbon treaty to 'promote economic, social and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among member states'. Territorial cohesion had been interpreted as introducing a notion of 'spatial justice' predicated on an (apparently unitary) European social model. The most up-to-date version of the concept was 'to encourage the harmonious and sustainable development of all territories by building on their territorial characteristics and resources'.
Source: Jane Holder and Antonia Layard, 'Drawing out the elements of territorial cohesion: re-scaling EU spatial governance', Yearbook of European Law, Volume 30 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined the implications for European Union funding of the coalition government's decision to disband the regional structure in England.
Source: Lee Pugalis and Ben Fisher, 'English regions disbanded: European funding and economic regeneration implications', Local Economy, Volume 26 Number 6-7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
An article examined the future of regional economic development policy in Europe. The challenge was to devise programmes that were not blown off course by sudden changes at the macro level, could demonstrate their value at the regional and national level, and could attract sufficient political support to be sustained for the long term.
Source: David Walburn and Christian Saublens, 'Regional economic development policy in Europe: where next?', Local Economy, Volume 26 Number 6-7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Nov
The European Commission adopted a draft legislative package designed to frame cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020. The new proposals were designed to reinforce the strategic dimension of the policy and to ensure that investment was targeted on Europe's long-term goals for growth and jobs (under the Europe 2020 strategy). They included the option (as a last resort) of suspending aid to regions in countries where budgetary policy was too lax or that did not comply with the stability and growth pact.
Source: Press release 6 October 2011, European Commission
Links: Proposals for Regulations | European Commission press release | CEMR press release | Eurochild press release | RICS press release
Date: 2011-Oct
A paper compared the conceptualizations of learning that underpinned conventional education and skills policy for the knowledge-based economy with those that underpinned 'territorial innovation models' and the 'territorial knowledge dynamics' approach.
Source: Laura James, Economic Development and Skills Policy: What can we learn from territorial innovation models and territorial knowledge dynamics?, LLAKES Research Paper 33, Centre for Learning and Life Chances in Knowledge Economies and Societies
Links: Paper
Notes: Territorial innovation models explain regional innovation in terms of local institutional dynamics.
Date: 2011-Oct
An article examined issues of regional development theory, and uneven geographical development, in the context of the financial and debt crisis in the eurozone.
Source: Costis Hadjimichalis, 'Uneven geographical development and socio-spatial justice and solidarity: European regions after the 2009 financial crisis', European Urban and Regional Studies, Volume 18 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
A paper examined the allocations of financial resources accruing to the European regions from the regional, rural development, and agricultural policies of the European Union. The territorial 'vocation' of overall Community spending was weakly linked to its distribution among different policies: but it crucially depended on how each policy area defined appropriate allocation mechanisms and interventions, based upon the characteristics of each region and its 'local' needs.
Source: Riccardo Crescenzi, Fabrizio De Filippis, and Fabio Pierangeli, In Tandem for Cohesion? Synergies and conflicts between regional and agricultural policies of the European Union, LEQS Paper 40/ 2011, London School of Economics
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jul
The coalition government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on its proposal to abolish regional planning strategies. It said that there was 'clear evidence that [the strategies] did not work'.
Source: Government Response to the Communities and Local Government Committee s Report: Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies – A planning vacuum, Cm 8103, Department for Communities and Local Government, TSO
Links: Response | Hansard | DCLG press release
Notes: MPs report (March 2011)
Date: 2011-Jun
A new book examined the European Union's regional growth dynamics and, in particular, the reasons why peripheral and socio-economically disadvantaged areas had persistently failed to catch up with the rest of the Union.
Source: Riccardo Crescenzi and Andres Rodriguez-Pose, Innovation and Regional Growth in the European Union, Springer
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-May
A paper examined debates over the future of cohesion policy in the European Union, including the issue of whether greater emphasis should be placed on targets and results in cohesion spending programmes.
Source: Carlos Mendez, John Bachtler, and Fiona Wishlade, Setting the Stage for the Reform of Cohesion Policy After 2013, Research Paper 77, European Policies Research Centre (University of Strathclyde)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-May
A think-tank report said that relying on donations from business to provide resources for social action would put areas such as London – where large numbers of big business were headquartered – at a huge advantage. Areas with a weaker private sector were also those where voluntary and community organizations were more reliant on public funding.
Source: Katie Schmuecker, Can the Big Society Be a Fair Society? A north east perspective, Institute for Public Policy Research
Links: Report | IPPR press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Apr
A think-tank report said that there remained a deep, long-term, continuing economic divergence between the north and south-east regions of England. Indeed, in the existing economic climate the gap was likely to widen, with serious economic and social consequences. The north would be disproportionately hit by spending cuts and job losses. The report called for a new political consensus on supporting the north.
Source: Michael Ward, Rebalancing the Economy: Prospects for the North, Smith Institute
Links: Report | New Start report
Date: 2011-Mar
An article critically examined the coalition government's plans to dismantle regional development agencies in England, as part of its 'localism' agenda.
Source: Lee Pugalis, 'Sub-national economic development: where do we go from here?', Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, Volume 4 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
A think-tank report said that the wide wealth gaps between Europe's regions could largely be explained by using just a handful of measures related to 'human capital', including youth unemployment, research, and innovation.
Source: Peer Ederer, Philipp Schuller, and Stephan Willms, Human Capital Leading Indicators: How Europe's regions and cities can drive growth and foster social inclusion, Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness and Social Renewal
Links: Report | EurActiv report
Date: 2011-Mar
An article examined the emergence of a new 'experimentalist governance architecture' in European Union cohesion policy, and assessed its effectiveness. The core features were the joint setting of objectives between EU institutions and the member states, (semi-)autonomous implementation by the member states and regions, the use of performance reporting and peer review mechanisms at EU level, and the periodic revision of policy objectives. The effects on mutual learning had so far been weak, and were unlikely to improve unless a more structured and robust assessment and peer review process were introduced.
Source: Carlos Mendez, 'The Lisbonization of EU cohesion policy: a successful case of experimentalist governance?', European Planning Studies, Volume 19 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
A paper examined the relationship between fiscal and political decentralization, regional economic development, and income inequality within west European regions. Greater fiscal and political decentralization was associated with lower interpersonal income inequality: but this relationship was far from linear. As regional income rose, further decentralization was connected to a lower decrease or even to an increase in inequality.
Source: Vassilis Tselios, Andres Rodriguez-Pose, Andy Pike, John Tomaney, and Gianpiero Torrisi, Income Inequality, Regional Development and Decentralisation in Western Europe, Discussion Paper 76, Spatial Economics Research Centre (London School of Economics)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Mar
A paper examined ways of shifting the focus of European Union cohesion policy from financial inputs and outputs towards progress in the outcomes that reflected the policy's objectives.
Source: Fabrizio Barca and Philip McCann, Outcome Indicators and Targets – Towards a Performance Oriented EU Cohesion Policy, European Commission
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Mar
The European Commission called for European Union cohesion funds to be used more widely by managing authorities (including regions and cities) to finance sustainable growth projects.
Source: Regional Policy Contributing to Sustainable Growth in Europe 2020, European Commission
Links: Report | Working document | European Commission press release
Date: 2011-Feb
A paper examined whether regional transfer payments affected public support for European Union cohesion policy.
Source: Steffen Osterloh, Can Regional Transfers Buy Public Support? Evidence from EU structural policy, Discussion Paper 11-011, Centre for European Economic Research (Mannheim)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Feb
An article examined a geographical approach to justice and equity, and the possible criteria for redistributing development resources among territories.
Source: Michael Storper, 'Justice, efficiency and economic geography: should places help one another to develop?', European Urban and Regional Studies, Volume 18 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Feb
A paper said that the local and regional level was crucial for achieving cohesion and the 'Europe 2020' objectives. Local development approaches would ensure that cohesion policy was more decentralized, and that the partnership principle applied – thus making cohesion policy more effective.
Source: CEMR Policy Paper on the Future of EU Cohesion Policy, Council of European Municipalities and Regions
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jan
An article examined the concept of 'Euroregions' – groupings with a legal personality, designed to overcome obstacles to cross-border co-operation.
Source: Eduardo Medeiros, '(Re)defining the Euroregion concept', European Planning Studies, Volume 19 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jan
The Northern Ireland Executive began consultation on a revised regional development strategy.
Source: Shaping Our Future: Regional development strategy (RDS) 2025 consultation – 10 year review, Northern Ireland Executive
Links: Consultation document | Summary
Date: 2011-Jan
A report examined the future of cohesion policy in the European Union, aimed at ensuring economic, social, and territorial cohesion. It said that cohesion policy should remain European, with no re-nationalization of any kind, and with an increased involvement of regions at all stages of the decision-making process.
Source: Estelle Delangle, Cohesion in Europe: Regions take up the challenge, Assembly of European Regions
Date: 2011-Jan
A paper examined recent developments in state aid control within the European Union member states, and the prospects for regional aid control after 2013.
Source: Fiona Wishlade, To Roll Forward or Roll Back? Regional aid control 2014+, Research Paper 75, European Policies Research Centre
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jan