1. // Alps 2050
ESPON seminar Iași “The role of functional areas for territorial cohesion”

2. The Alps as functional region?
ESPON seminar Iași “The role of functional areas for territorial cohesion”
10/21/2019

3. Functional region? The search for perimeters on different levels:
Intergovernmental
Transnational
Macro-regional
Alps 2050
10/21/2019

4. Functional region? X Regionalization based on… a) … homogeneity
Alps 2050
10/21/2019

5. Functional region?
b) functional linkages X
Alps 2050
10/21/2019

6. Functional region? Regionalization based on…
c) Specific interrelations
Alps 2050
10/21/2019

7. Functional region? Regionalization based on…
c) Specific interrelations
Alps 2050
10/21/2019

8. ˅ Functional region? X X Regionalization based on… a) homogeneity
b) functional linkages
c) specific interrelations ˅ X X
Alps 2050
10/21/2019

9. Governance and territorial coordination2
Governance and territorial coordination
ESPON seminar Iași “The role of functional areas for territorial cohesion”
10/21/2019

10. Institutional thickness ...
ESPON seminar Iași “The role of functional areas for territorial cohesion”
10/21/2019

11. ...vs. spatial blindness?
The ‘big 3 institutions of the Alps’ hardly institutionalise territorial development:
Not as EUSALP action group
Not as Alpine Convention Working body
Not as INTERREG space objective
ESPON seminar Iași “The role of functional areas for territorial cohesion”
10/21/2019

12. 3
Analysing the future?
ESPON seminar Iași “The role of functional areas for territorial cohesion”
10/21/2019

13. Scenarios
…assumes that the hitherto dominant trends will be carried forward. Development paths are mainly based on national, domestic politics that lead to complex spatial patterns. The overall positive trend in economic development continues.
However, this comes along with only limited success in achieving sustainable development and strategic spatial development.
Alps 2050
10/21/2019
10/21/2019

14. Scenarios
… underlines the necessity to protect the inner-Alpine mountainous areas as a precious and vulnerable natural and cultural heritage. Touristic demand, transport needs, settlement growth and other human activities have put this region under high pressure. Protection regimes as initiated by the Alpine Convention are more than necessary and are further strengthened. The dynamic of the ‘metropolitan ring’ surrounding the Alps will be organised in a way that does not question sustainable development within the Alps.
Alps 2050
10/21/2019
10/21/2019

15. Scenarios
… underlines the necessity to improve linkages between the different subregions. The relationship between mountainous inner-Alpine and the more urbanised pre-Alpine parts will be strengthened, and in parallel the cross-border relations will be addressed more intensively. Removing barriers and enhancing functional links is of key importance (e.g. for labour markets, budget organisation, public services).
Alps 2050
10/21/2019
10/21/2019

16. Scenarios
… emphasises that the Alpine region is one of the most successful economic spaces in Europe and one of the most attractive touristic destinations worldwide. The position in the centre of Europe causes the need for transit flows to ensure European economic prospering. The metropolitan ‘hubs’ and the major corridors are the basis of successful spatial development. Attracting skilled labour force and entrepreneurial investments is as important as to ensuring good transport and economic flows on the Alpine and European level.
Alps 2050
10/21/2019
10/21/2019

17. 10/21/2019

18. Towards a common vision
10/21/2019
Alps 2050

19. Learning from the Alps 2050 process?4
Learning from the Alps 2050 process?
ESPON seminar Iași “The role of functional areas for territorial cohesion”
10/21/2019

20. Learning from the Alps 2050 experience?
A functional region is (more) based on common challenges than on similarities and flows.
Institutional thickness does not (necessarily) mean territorial coordination.
A vision is an ongoing process, not (only) a plan.
10/21/2019
Alps 2050

21. Thank you Tobias Chilla, University of Erlangen
This presentation will be made available at:
Sources:
Chilla, T.; T. Streifeneder (2018): Interrelational space? The spatial logic of the macro-regional strategy for the Alps and its potentials, European Planning Studies, DOI: /