New aims and approaches for regional policies

Abstract

Regional development is the endeavour to purposefully support the progress of regions. Regional policies are policies aimed at promoting regional development. Traditionally, regional development and regional policies in developed countries have pursued two overarching aims: increasing economic growth and / or augmenting social justice by reducing spatial disparities. Empirical evidence casts doubt on whether regional policies are able to fully eliminate disparities. Furthermore, there is growing awareness of negative ecological consequences caused by regional policies, in particular with regard to land consumption. Many policies have been criticised for neglecting regional culture and identity, and for a lack of regional control over development processes. Against this background, the study investigates and assesses aims for regional development and provides recommendations on the design of regional policies. Five objectives have been devised to guide the research. While the first three objectives are descriptive, the latter two also entail normative components. 1. What are the current aims for regional development? 2. What are the approaches of current regional policies? 3. What general challenges and potentials are regions facing? 4. What aims should regional development pursue? 5. How can these aims best be achieved in practice? The entire investigation is based on a case study of regional development and regional policies in Germany and partly also the European Union. The objectives on aims and approaches of current regional policies were approached through an analysis of legal provisions and policy documents. This analysis revealed a trend towards policies with broader, more holistic foci. Many policies have incorporated principles of sustainable development. The analysis also showed that innovative approaches, such as Neo-Endogenous Regional Development, are already widely applied. Nevertheless, there are also applications of approaches which are, from an academic point of view, no longer tenable – which points to the need for reform. The objective on challenges and potentials for regional development was addressed through an analysis of regional statistical data. The statistical analysis indicated that socio-economic and participatory aspects of regional well-being are often interlinked, meaning that they should be approached in a holistic manner. The objectives on future aims and approaches of regional policies were approached by obtaining the views of practitioners in regional development. A survey that was undertaken for this purpose showed very clearly that practitioners considered all dimensions of well-being (environment, social affairs, economy, and participation / empowerment) to be relevant for regional development. Several proposals for achieving these imperatives have been investigated. Based on statistical evidence and the views of practitioners, the thesis advocates for adopting the paradigm of a sustainable-participatory regional development. This paradigm encompasses the three substantial dimensions of economic, social, and environmental well-being and the procedural dimension of participation / empowerment. Environmental well-being presupposes increasing environmental viability and safeguarding natural functions. Social well-being presupposes increasing interregional and intraregional social justice, ensuring the provision with services of general interest, and the strengthening of regional culture and identity. Economic well-being requires the support of economic prosperity. And participatory well-being requires the participation and empowerment of all social groups in development processes. Progress is aspired in each aspect of well-being, and the different aspects are integrated and linked with one another in a holistic manner. Grounded in the views of practitioners, the thesis recommends the adoption of a policy cycle approach in regional development. Such a cycle begins with the formulation of regional development concepts at the regional level and the decision about which regions to support and to what extent at the central level. The concepts appraise regional challenges and potentials and devise strategies to overcome challenges and utilise potentials. Based on target agreements with regional agencies, the central level grants support for regions. The regions then implement the regional development concepts. During this stage, regions have a high degree of autonomy, and influence from the central level is limited to providing guidance and support. Finally, the implementations of the policies, but also the policies themselves, are evaluated in order to identify possible improvements in the next policy cycle. This approach raises awareness about the fact that improvements have to be achieved within limited time frames and with limited means. Aims are consciously defined, and it is monitored whether they have been achieved. If aims have not been achieved, the necessary amendments can be undertaken in a timely manner. It is possible to regularly improve regional policies and to adapt them to changing circumstances. Regional policies should support all regions in their progress, but should, meanwhile, be strongly regionally embedded. It is vital that regional policies value and enhance the uniqueness of regions. The policy cycle approach addresses the fact that regional development is a dynamic field. If conditions for regional development change, then it will be necessary to reconsider the question of what aims and approaches regional policies should pursue. Future experiences will allow further advancements.