Suchergebnisse

Within the context of both national and EU policy, sustainable development (SD) emerges in the Nordic countries as a horizontal perspective to be systematically integrated into regional development programming. Research on this type of integration has, however, been somewhat scarce. This paper deals with the question of how the relation between environmental and economic sustainability – as part of the overall SD framework – is played out in the context of regional development programming at both the national and regional levels. Three issues are raised in the analysis, pointing to challenges of achieving environmental policy-integration. First, working with cross-sectoral interconnectedness or ending up in sectoral traps, where partnership learning processes are hampered by both a lack of responsibility for, and ownership of, the overall SD-perspective and interactions dominated by sectoral struggles where the different roles, mandates and perspectives of various keyactors are strong. Second, achieving 'win-win' or getting stuck in environment-economy conflicts, where the policy-rhetoric picturing the existence of possible 'win-win'- opportunities in which environmental and economic sustainability benefit each other show some empirical support at the same time as troublesome conflicts and tough regional development priorities raise questions of where principled priority lies in practical decisionmaking. Third, rhetorical declarations, pockets of good practice or systematic policyintegration, where the paper highlights a focus on environmental sustainability in rhetorical declarations and through flagship win-win examples though the study does not provide evidence of any overall transformation of regional development practices taking place. Indeed, policy-integration in terms of rhetorical declarations is more common than evidence of systematic integration. Despite indications of changing patterns of interaction and learning in respect of partnerships between actors from different sectors, the conflict ...

Internal differences within the Nordic countries flit around the extremes of the pendulum. On the one hand, the capital and other metropolitan areas of the Nordic countries are amongst the fastest growing on the whole continent. On the other hand peripheral areas are, when placed in their national contexts, lagging behind and in dire need of active support. This is the traditional picture of the Nordic dichotomy. In the first years after the turn of the millennium small indications suggest that the overly excessive concentration to a few metropolitan areas has partially and at least currently reached the end of its path. Regardless whether these new patterns are a mere breather in the time line of peripheral decline or if they will prove to be more permanent trends, it is currently nonetheless one of the most important tasks for policy makers to try to strike a balance between the development trends in different parts of the Nordic countries. The task is further challenged by the shifting focus of the new EU Structural Funds 2007-2013 programming period away from the Nordic countries. The 2007 handbook in the series 'Regional Development in the Nordic Countries' provides a comprehensive picture of the current state of play of regional development challenges and the policies and tools utilised to tackle the problems now and in the years to come. This also includes an overview on the processes of administrative structural reforms of government in the Nordic countries. In addition Nordic relevant aspects of EU regional policy support and possibilities of territorial co-operation for the period 2007-2013 are covered. The report comes with 29 detailed maps, an A3 poster pin-up and numerous graphical illustrations, all of which featuring EU27 standards and the new Danish territorial divisions. In the statistical annex, comparable demographic and economic key indicators are given for all 1 366 Nordic municipalities and their corresponding regions, including each of the autonomous territories. All graphical material is ready-to-hand available for download at the Maps & Figures section of this website and can be used free of charge.

This report provides an analysis of the Nordic innovation policies of relevance for regional innovation systems. The central question addressed is how national policy makers can best apply the broad Lisbon strategy goals to the specific creation of regional innovation policies adapted to the Nordic context. Meeting the ideals and goals of the Lisbon Agenda may imply significant changes in the Nordic countries. Specifically, if innovation is to be stimulated in the public sector this demands an increased role for the market in the production of goods and services produced by the public sector. The data available tends to highlight the fact that the metropolitan areas dominate in terms of innovation performance and potential across the Nordic countries. Regional differences must thus be considered in the context of the development of innovation policy instruments, while more sophisticated enabling instruments will undoubtedly also be needed. In the EU context the regions are viewed as being the actors best able to appreciate local and regional needs and thus best placed to develop innovation policies. Historically, the state has controlled innovation policy in the Nordic countries. The regional level may therefore need to be granted formal competence for the development of regional innovation policies. The EU commission has asked for the application of a broad view of innovation. Innovation policy in the Nordic countries has traditionally however been concerned, predominantly, with research and development policies, though all of the Nordic countries are currently in the course of adopting a broader approach to innovation. By its very nature this broader approach ensures that a wider and ever expanding range of policy fields address the notion of innovation. Better coordination between the various policy fields addressing innovation may thus be needed in order to avoid competing or overlapping measures at the national and regional levels.