Demographic changes affect many regions in Germany and Europe. How do sparsely populated regions in Europe adapt their technical and social infrastructure to demographic change? This question was the focus of the accompanying study that nexus prepared within the framework of the “Action Programme for Regional Services of General Interest”. The nexus team conducted comparative European research on topics, projects and actors. Of particular relevance were integrated strategies for services of general interest in the areas of technical and social infrastructure. Affected regions are faced with the task of having to provide and finance services of general interest for a smaller number of users. As part of the accompanying research, the nexus team compiled a comprehensive overview of experiences in Europe and beyond (e.g. Australia, Japan, Canada). The aim was to identify innovative approaches as inspiration for the German model regions. The research spectrum also included research programmes and networks on the topic.
In the second phase of the project, proposals for international cooperation and regional exchange of experience were to be developed. In addition to the intensive research work, the project team organised two workshops to present initial results and discuss possible forms of cooperation with regions in and outside Europe. The activities were part of the “Action Programme for Regional Services of General Interest”, which was funded as a model project of regional planning (MORO) by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs (BMVBS) and the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) to test and implement innovative approaches to action.
Duration: 02/2012 – 10/2012
Client: Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Bau und Stadtentwicklung (BMVBS), Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR)
Team: Dr. Angela Jain (Project management), Dr. Martin Schiefelbusch (Project management), Nicolas Bach, Kerstin Franzl, Melissa Gómez, Dr. Holger Jansen