The Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning

Equivalent living conditions in Europe:
Between dissatisfaction and cooperation

(original title: Gleichwertigkeit in Europa – Zwischen Unzufriedenheit und Zusammenarbeit)

IzR 3/2019
Hrsg.: BBSR

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Table of contents
Jens Kurnol,
Sina Redlich
Perspectives on equivalent living conditions in Europe
Evidence, practice and policy

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Lewis Dijkstra,
Hugo Poelman,
Andrés Rodríguez-Pose

Analysing the geography of anti-EU voting
An analysis

The authors analysed votes for Euro-sceptical parties from over 63,000 wards of the 28 EU member states in order to find out which factors are important for their voting decision. In populist theories, the three factors age, education and income are often said to be the populist voter’s “Holy Trinity”. The analysis, however, shows that spatial factors also foster Euroscepticism.

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Martin Heidenreich

Economic and social disparities in the EU
Between convergence and agglomeration

The economic disparities in Europe have been increasing again for several years. Technological knowledge, established enterprises, qualified workforce, an efficient infrastructure and inclusive labour markets: all this can be found in large numbers especially in the Continental and Northern European core regions of the European Union. In order to keep up with this, more than the economic benefits provided by cross-border trade is required.

Eduardo Medeiros

A renewed territorial cohesion narrative
Reflections on the EU Territorial Agenda

This article debates the need for a renewed territorial cohesion narrative for an updated version of the EU Territorial Agenda. It proposes a more simplistic and practical vision for the territorial cohesion concept and the need to transform it into a measurable notion. It also advances alternative policy implementation avenues to achieve territorial cohesion policy goals at the national level.

Angelika Münter,
Mario Reimer

European territorial governance
Impacts on national planning systems

This article focuses on the question in how far legal, monetary and discursive instruments of the European spatial development policy and territorial governance might impact national planning systems and practices. Moreover, the article provides recommendations how to advance the Territorial Agenda.

Rupert Kawka

The "Deutschlandatlas" (German Atlas)
An example for scientific political advice

The European territorial cohesion objective thematically resembles the German objective of equivalent living conditions. Both terms are not clearly defined though. The "Deutschlandatlas" creates a basis for common understanding.

Melf Grantz,
Claudia Harms

Bremerhaven: new perspectives? Yes, please!

The Seaside City of Bremerhaven combines its standing up for Europe with a citywide climate protection strategy. Thus, it is possible to create local benefits together with European partners.

2019 European elections
Wolfgang Dietz

"We are Europeans of everyday life"

In Weil am Rhein we use to call ourselves "Europeans of everyday life". As a city in the south-western part of Germany bordering on Switzerland and France, we hardly perceive the national borders in daily life even if, in the case of Switzerland, it is an external border.

Talking with Annika Annerby Jansson, Carroll Buxton and Armin Schabus

Together against Euroscepticism

Why do people vote against the EU? What can be done against this trend? And how do regions cooperate in Europe? Actors from regions in Sweden, Scotland and Austria tell the IzR editorial team about their experiences with Euroscepticism and European cooperation.

Hella Dunger-Löper,
Jonas Scholze

Territorial equality of opportunities in the Single European Market
How does the EU contribute to this?

The European Union can contribute to the equality of opportunities and a balanced spatial development. The upcoming German EU Council Presidency should support this.

Talking with Karl-Heinz Lambertz

Creating equal opportunities, strengthening cohesion

Karl-Heinz Lambertz explains the IzR editorial team how the European policy comes closer to the people and how the European Committee of the Regions contributes to this.

Sina Redlich interviewed Fiona Wieland

Shaping EU policies towards a placebased approach
The Urban Agenda for the EU

Cities and regions share many common challenges that are already being tackled jointly within a number of Urban Agenda partnerships. For the renewed Territorial Agenda, which intends to be more implementation-oriented in future, this offers important starting points. Sina Redlich (BBSR, IzR) interviewed Fiona Wieland.

Eurobarometer
Michael Frehse

The European spatial development policy

A look at the cohesion in Europe and the German EU Council Presidency 2020


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