Search

• Inner and marginalized areas: an increasingly relevant issue at European level. • Inner areas as socio-ecological systems (SES): an integrated sustainability approach. • An innovative methodology to design a system of indicators of sustainability. • Theoretical background based on Ecological Economics and strong sustainability. • Multi-criteria framework for a standardized social-biophysical evaluation grid. The phenomenon of inner peripherality is on the rise in Europe. Inner peripheries can be defined as peripheral rural areas experiencing territorial disconnection and progressive marginalization given their distance to urban centres, where the supply of services is concentrated. Assessing and comparing the sustainable development of these areas according to nuanced and integrated social-biophysical perspectives is crucial to highlight their genuine long-term sustainability potential and critical aspects. Moreover, it is essential to monitor that the socio-economic development of the latter goes hand in hand with territorial stewardship and an appropriate management of their extensive natural endowments. To achieve these objectives, this paper illustrates an innovative methodology to design a multi-criteria evaluation framework named PAISDA (Peripheral Areas Integrated Sustainable Development Assessment). The framework, based on the theoretical background of ecological economics, makes it possible to monitor the sustainable development of inner and marginalized areas according to a "post-growth" approach. It also allows a shift towards a strong sustainability perspective by assessing the phenomenon in an integrated way, which combines social and biophysical dimensions. This can help to design more robust and better targeted policies for these areas, thereby improving local strategic planning. The assessment process is as follows: first, the values of lower order components are computed through a reflective measurement model, then aggregated to form the values of higher order components, which are used as criteria in the last phase of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The choice of normalization and aggregation methods responds to methodological coherence. The paper describes a step-by-step procedure for applying the PAISDA framework in any European country, providing an illustrative example of its implementation in relation to Italian inner areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study contributes to the rich literature on territorial attractiveness and territorial capital by adopting a psychological approach, developing, and then validating a territorial capital scale that measures people's beliefs and behavioural intentions (i.e. to leave or stay in a rural area). Following a qualitative phase (n = 40), a quantitative survey was conducted in two rural regions of Cameroon (n = 400). Factor analysis revealed a multidimensional construct of perceived territorial capital consisting of six factors. The authors used the Theory of Planned Behaviour to validate the scale. The results show that perceived territorial capital significantly influences perceived behavioural control (PBC), place attachment (PA) and anticipated regrets (AR). This research contributes to rural development policies. • The study contributes to the literature on territorial capital by adopting a psychological approach. • It develops and validates a territorial capital scale that measures people's beliefs and behavioural intentions. • The results highlight a multidimensional construct of perceived territorial capital composed of six factors that influence PBC1, PA2 and AR3. • This research contributes to rural development policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative paper explores rural women entrepreneurs' motives for joining a female-founded, female-only business network. Using a theoretical framework based on the collective identity, territorial capital and gendered networks, we found that rural women's underlying motives to join the network is to harmonise the perceived dichotomy between their roles as women and as entrepreneurs and pave the way for a successful entrepreneurial journey. Their narratives suggest they prefer to connect and learn in business networks that they feel are extensions of who they are; that is where their identities are maintained and produce a sense of belonging. Network members perceive each other as 'like-minded', which suggests interpersonal congruence and behavioural integration, where they expect social interactions to be conflict-free. Therefore, the women perceived the network as supportive and non-competitive, with the main benefits of building their self-confidence while mitigating the social isolation and feelings of loneliness that characterise rural contexts in Australia. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of female-founded FOBNs as neo-endogenous agents catalysts for shifting social paradigms and fostering a more diverse, equitable and inclusive rural landscape. • Women entrepreneurs in rural Australia see their roles as women and entrepreneurs as conflicting. • Their narratives suggest a lack of self-confidence, low self-worth, and a desire to relate to like-minded people in a safe environment. • They join female-founded FOBNs to harmonise their conflicting roles and succeed in their entrepreneurial journey. • To achieve this, they need to be empowered, feel that they belong, and feel safe and supported. • FOBNs can support personal growth, legitimise women in entrepreneurship and mitigate social isolation in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This work proposes a conceptual framework that combines the service ecosystems view (stemming from Service-Dominant logic) with the concept of territorial ecosystems (stemming from destination management studies). The paper aims at exploring the underlying dynamics of territorial ecosystems that can impact the competitiveness and sustainability of a community as a whole. The main goal is to support decision making in disadvantaged territories characterized by the urge to harmonize needs to achieve a sustainable advantage. Based on a literature review of the evolution of territory in destination management, a model for meta-management in territorial ecosystems is proposed. The empirical research adopts a mixed method (content analysis and semi-structured interviews) to explore the single case study of Libera, an Italian non-profit association that challenges organized crime. The study reframes Libera, its actors and territory as a service ecosystem. The findings from the case study reveal the existence of different types of territorial capital at the micro, meso and macro-level. Moreover, the results allow the identification of three main steps that the governance can realize at a meta-management level to harmonize the actor's objectives and goals and foster the creation of a cohesive sustainable-oriented culture. From a theoretical point of view, the study encourages further research to introduce a strategic framework able to identify different strategies for value co-creation and sustainable outcomes. Revealing the key drivers for the local development and sustainability of territories can help managers understand how to optimize the relationships of all the ecosystem's stakeholders and how to monitor value co-creation in progress during all the phases of the service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the contribution of territorial sensitive resources related to natural and cultural features (environmental dimension), innovation capabilities and specialization patterns (smart specialization) to regional sustainable development (spatial sustainability). In the context of a fast and continuous expansion of tourism activities, particular attention is given to their impacts. The results of our path model suggest that different patterns of tourism dynamics coexist in European regions and that, for those where this sector assumes larger socio-economic importance, the contribution to the achievement of the “Millennium Goals”, as proposed by the United Nations, is relatively poor. Regions particularly endowed in natural resources reveal a weak socio-economic performance, while showing high levels of specialization in tourism, based on large scale and low value-added products and services, suggesting that new approaches to territorial design are required. This also leads to important spatial unbalances, with the most tourism-dependent European regions revealing relatively low levels of regional gross domestic product and high levels of unemployment. Despite their relatively good performance in terms of CO 2 -emissions, it seems important for those regions' sustainable development to increase the value added in tourism, by reinforcing the linkages with other relevant regional economic sectors. Information and communication technologies can contribute to these achievements, through the integration of knowledge and innovations into the products and services comprising the smart tourism experiences (smart development) and their connections with related sectors (smart specialization). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present, the industrial heritage creates the identity of the contact area and the city. Also, it is an essential development potential. Many of these complexes include not only material capacities but also the intangible values. Their volumes and surfaces represent the economic potential for a development. Several of these spaces can be capitalized (sold or rented) so they form the territorial capital which can be economically used. Although a lot of spaces of the industrial heritage have such potential often these objects are abandoned or destroyed without acceptation of their significant values. The ports in Slovakia – Bratislava, Komárno and Štúrovo are located on a river Danube linking several European countries. They have performed not only as a station route but mainly as a source of innovation and economic incentives on this important traffic artery. An industrial activity is reduced by changing the social and economic situation in the country. The plans of an owner are to modernize the production activities and move them from the city centres to the periphery. Abandoned areas and buildings could be used for other function. Bratislava's port is the biggest and the most remarkable harbour in Slovakia, with a long history and several National Cultural Monuments. The paper will present the values and potentials of Danube ports in Slovakia that are useful for the development of the city/region. Also, the territorial capital will be presented on each port. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the debate about rural development policy (RDP), there has been increasing call for a stronger territorial focus emphasising the potentials, resources and demands of regions. Investments in territorial capital and regional capacity building have been considered as the two main cornerstones of a place-based approach to rural development ( OECD, 2006 ). On the basis of an analytical literature review, we developed a framework to operationalise a place-based approach of RDP. In the proposed framework, the two cornerstones are further subdivided into six topics: “territorial capital” is broken down into physical, human, natural capital, while “capacity building” encompasses modernisation, restructuring and stabilisation of existing territorial assets. Regional RDP expenditure data for the years 2007 to 2011 are used to test the empirical validity of the framework, explore the regional implementation patterns of RD measures and their spatial distribution across European regions. A cluster analysis was applied to identify groups of EU regions with similar settings of RD priorities. In more than half of the regions either natural capital investments or stabilisation represent the dominant priority. Other regions make broader use of rural development topics and are able to combine different ones in their programme designs. The spatial heterogeneity observed in expenditures allocated to the different rural development topics is interpreted as evidence of the place-based character of the EU RD policy. The intervention of various authorities in the programming of RD policy (EU, Member State and regional), as well as the fact that spending ultimately depends on the voluntary uptake of the measures by individual rural actors are discussed as the important factors explaining this heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Regional distinctiveness is supported by the European Union in rural development policy. However, there is little information about the spatial distribution of the potential for rural development across Europe. The concept of territorial capital is used to consider spatial characteristics in assessing the capacity for rural development. Expert-based descriptions of territorial capital are translated into mappable proxies to locate regions with development capacities in intensive agriculture, off-farm employment, rural tourism and conservation. Combining these potentials, the capacity for multiple functions within regions is assessed. A partial validation of the expert-based weighing of territorial capital is done by comparison with an empirical approach based on logistic regression. The results indicate strong variation between regions in rural development potentials. In Western Europe, regions with high rural tourism probability also share a high potential for conservation while opportunities for intensive agriculture and off-farm employment are generally low. In other parts of Europe these correlations are less pronounced. Several regions offer limited potential in all four considered functions while few regions have potential in all four functions. The assessment provides policymakers with assistance in identifying competitive rural development projects. Targeting rural development policies to high potential areas may increase policy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]