On the role of cultures of (out-)migration in the migration decisions of young people in shrinking regions of Central Germany

The patterns, motivations, and consequences of the outmigration of young adults from rural areas is a classic topic in population geography. In our paper, we first take a critical look at statistical analyses and cartographic representations of migration patterns of young adults in rural areas using Central Germany1 as an example, stressing the shortcomings of quantitative analyses of residential mobility. We argue that migration is a complex social process, taking place as the result of the interplay of demographic, socio-structural, political, economic, and production-related factors involving the mobile individuals, as well as other actors, discourses, and practices. Following this, we discuss the emergence of cultures of (out-)migration in rural areas characterised by heightened mobility over longer periods of time and possible approaches to analyse such regional phenomena. We hence aim at a deepening of the concept of “culture of migration” and an expansion of the debate on motives and practices of migration to include psychological approaches, as well as a complex systems perspective.

Does the monocentric model work in a polycentric urban system? An examination of German metropolitan regions

In explaining the determinants of urban spatial structure, researchers have relied on the traditional monocentric ‘Alonso-Mills-Muth’ model. This article contributes to this discussion by testing the viability of the monocentric model when applied to metropolitan areas in Germany, a country traditionally associated with a polycentric urban structure, regional differences and urban shrinkage. We estimate the model with a unique dataset covering 92 metropolitan areas over two time periods (2000 and 2014), which allows estimation in both a cross-sectional and a panel framework. Using spatial and panel regression techniques, we test whether the underlying determinants of urbanisation vary according to factors unique to the German context, including the roles of historical geography, regional polycentricism and urban shrinkage. We found that, similar to the US studies, the model performed reasonably well, particularly with the overall fit and the performance of the population variable, which was significant and positively related to urbanised area. Personal income and land prices showed mixed results, and the coefficients for transportation costs proved to be challenging. We also found that regional geography matters: a region in eastern Germany is smaller than one in the west. A proxy variable for regional polycentricity was not significant. Finally, we found that the model’s behaviour differs between growing and shrinking regions, most notably in the differing impacts that population change has on the change in urbanised area.

Urban-Rural Synergy in Shrinking Regions Through Application of e-co Model

Many regions worldwide are faced with the problem of shrinkage, manifested through demographic decline, economic loss, and perforation of the urban tissue. Starting from the assumption that the shrinking phenomenon is present in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the research deals with the diagnosis of the shrinking condition in urban and rural areas of the northwest region of the country. In the light of the shrinkage problems, the chapter defines a new alternative model—e-co—which should enable the recovery from the crisis and restore the vitality of the region. The chance for recovery is recognized in the processes of rural urbanization and urban ruralization, the integration of rural values and urban advantages, the modern globality, and traditional locality.

Preliminary assessment of preconditions to deliver carbon neutrality in apartment buildings by 2050

Member states of European Union have large stock of residential buildings that require urgent renovation in order to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. In our paper we provide a preliminary evaluation of preconditions of such goal within the context of shrinking regions. Our data originates form renovation subsidy database of large renovation programme managed by state fund and form Nation Statistical Bureau. First we estimate the potential of apartment buildings occupation within the next 30 years. We exclude buildings that are going to be abandoned due to the demographical and migration reasons. Next we calculate the potential of construction sector to deliver required amount of renovations. We observe that the in our case current renovation rate must at least be increased by factor of three in order to comply with the carbon neutrality goal. This, however, is very challenging because supply of renovations’ construction is limited and overstimulated demand could increase construction prices significantly while rendering the effect of state incentives inefficient. Therefore an urgent technological change in renovation delivery is required to reach carbon neutrality goals.

Land-management strategies and the detached housing stock in shrinking municipalities – evidence from Germany

For some years, increased attention has been paid to the single-family housing stock in Germany and the further designation of building land by municipalities. A Germany-wide anonymous survey of municipalities sheds light on the municipalities’ land management strategies with regard to declining populations and their anticipation of future problems for the further use of the single-family housing stock. The results of the quantitative survey are supplemented by qualitative interviews with municipal experts from case studies that were selected on the basis of criteria such as population decline, old-age dependency ratio, the share of single-family homes and vacancy rates. The aims of the survey and the interviews are to assess municipal representatives’ perceptions of population decline and of the necessity of undertaking measures to deal with shrinkage. Research questions are: What measures do municipalities consider appropriate to counter population loss and falling demand for housing in shrinking regions? How important are single-family housing areas in the perception of German municipalities? The results indicate that a continued designation of building land seems to be one of the most important measures used to cope with insufficient demand. The aim is to attract new inhabitants, particularly to shrinking cities. However, this approach reinforces current problems because it lowers demand for the housing stock and increases the risk of vacancies.

APPLICATION OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN SHRINKING REGIONS

Shrinking of rural regions is going on in Eastern and Western European countries. Shrinking phenomena includes Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and other countries and regions. The shrinking region is considered as untoward and gone territory for economic growth particularly from the perspective of policy makers. Shrinking region requires specific tools for development. The aim of this study is to analyse theoretical options for circular economy development in shrinking regions. The growth economy which requires planning more and more profit, units of goods, jobs etc. is not an adequate strategy for shrinking regions. The desktop approach is applied by analysing research articles on shrinking phenomena and circular economy with aim to explore the potential benefits provided by application of principles of circular economy in shrinking regions. The study also reviews policy planning documents on circular economy and regional development at the European Union level and specifically in Latvia which has lost dramatic proportion of inhabitants in last few decades. The findings of the study show that at first, national policy and EU policy does not accept the phenomena of shrinking regions; second, principles of circular economy are applicable to shrinking regions. There are such challenges as cooperation, philosophy of consumption and values, willingness and availability to pay for services. The study will open a discussion about shrinking rural regions and circular economy from another perspective because until now circular economy is mostly related with the zero waste concept.

Raum und Unternehmen

The involvement of companies and people in the provision of services of general interest in structurally weak, demographically shrinking regions is becoming increasingly important. In addition to examining the social responsibility of companies under the term ‘corporate social responsibility’, this study also focuses on regional corporate engagement. Against the background of the known dilemmas in the area of civil societal engagement, in which fewer people are involved in structurally weak regions than in prospering regions, this book raises the question of whether this also applies to corporate engagement by focusing on whether companies are able to break through regional crisis cycles successfully while also fostering a positive influence on the development of the region. Using three case studies, the authors identify certain factors and obstacles in regional corporate engagement and evaluate the results of a company survey.