Europa XXI (2021) vol. 41

The Geography and Governance of Infrastructure Provision

Articles

Editorial: The Geography and Governance of Infrastructure Provision

Martina Schorn, Alois Humer

Europa XXI (2021) vol. 41, pp. 5-17 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.6
citation: Schorn, M., & Humer, A. (2021). Editorial: The Geography and Governance of Infrastructure Provision. Europa XXI, 41, 5-17. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.6

Further information

Abstract

Infrastructure matters for regional development as well as for the individual wellbeing of people. This not only became painstakingly obvious since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Thus, the phases of ‘lock-down’ during the pandemic became an eye opener for the condition of infrastructural fundaments of our cities and regions. Debates about systemic infrastructure for maintaining the functioning of our societies and economies – in scientific terms ‘Services of General Interest’ or the ‘Foundational Economy’ – received wide societal and political attention since the outbreak of the pandemic. Yet, already before the outbreak of this most severe global health crisis, discourses in applied social sciences have experienced an ‘infrastructural turn’, putting technical, social and green infrastructures into the centre of attention of social research, theory building and dissemination. This has led to different understandings of ‘infrastructure’ coexisting in academic and professional debates today. This introductory paper to the issue on ‘The Geography and Governance of Infrastructure Provision’ aims at giving an overview of current debates about infrastructure provision in Regional Science and Planning while introducing the six papers included in this theme issue of Europa XXI.

Keywords: governance, infrastructure provision, regional disparities, Services of General Interest

Martina Schorn [martina.schorn@univie.ac.at], Department of Geography and Regional Research, University of Vienna
Alois Humer [alois.humer@univie.ac.at], Department of Geography and Regional Research, University of Vienna

Citation

APA: Schorn, M., & Humer, A. (2021). Editorial: The Geography and Governance of Infrastructure Provision. Europa XXI, 41, 5-17. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.6
MLA: Schorn, Martina, and Humer, Alois. "Editorial: The Geography and Governance of Infrastructure Provision". Europa XXI, vol. 41, 2021, pp. 5-17. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.6
Chicago: Schorn, Martina, and Humer, Alois. "Editorial: The Geography and Governance of Infrastructure Provision". Europa XXI 41 (2021): 5-17. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.6
Harvard: Schorn, M., & Humer, A. 2021. "Editorial: The Geography and Governance of Infrastructure Provision". Europa XXI, vol. 41, pp. 5-17. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.6

Electricity Provision as a European Service of General Economic Interest – a conceptual debate

Eva Lacher

Europa XXI (2021) vol. 41, pp. 19-36 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.1
citation: Lacher, E. (2021). Electricity Provision as a European Service of General Economic Interest – a conceptual debate. Europa XXI, 41, 19-36. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.1

Further information

Abstract

Today the universal and secure supply of energy is facing profound changes and challenges in European regions. Recent updates on energy policies in the EU propel the decentralization of energy generation driven by citizens’ engagement, fueling scientific debates on how inclusive these new frameworks really are. We look back at all four legislative ‘Energy packages’ of the EU (1996, 2003, 2009, 2019) with a focus on the Clean Energy Package 2019. Did the changes towards completing a common internal market for energy and reacting to the climate crisis affect standards of SGI provision, such as availability, accessibility, affordability, quality and variety?

Keywords: decentralization, energy policy, European Union, liberalization, participation, services of general economic interest

Eva Lacher [e.c.lacher@gmail.com], University of Vienna, Postgraduate Center

Citation

APA: Lacher, E. (2021). Electricity Provision as a European Service of General Economic Interest – a conceptual debate. Europa XXI, 41, 19-36. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.1
MLA: Lacher, Eva. "Electricity Provision as a European Service of General Economic Interest – a conceptual debate". Europa XXI, vol. 41, 2021, pp. 19-36. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.1
Chicago: Lacher, Eva. "Electricity Provision as a European Service of General Economic Interest – a conceptual debate". Europa XXI 41 (2021): 19-36. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.1
Harvard: Lacher, E. 2021. "Electricity Provision as a European Service of General Economic Interest – a conceptual debate". Europa XXI, vol. 41, pp. 19-36. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.1

Smart Cities and Urban Logistics: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Gonçalo Santinha, Ana Dias, Mário Rodrigues, Carlos Rodrigues, Rute Bastardo, João Pavão, Nelson Pacheco Rocha

Europa XXI (2021) vol. 41, pp. 37-58 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.2
citation: Santinha, G., Dias, A., Rodrigues, M., Rodrigues, C., Bastardo, R., Pavão, J., & Pacheco Rocha, N. (2021). Smart Cities and Urban Logistics: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Europa XXI, 41, 37-58. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.2

Further information

Abstract

The concept of smart cities is seen as a key strategy to mitigate the problems generated by the rapid urbanization. Within the smart cities umbrella, the so-called smart mobility has been subject of considerable research. The systematic review reported by this article aimed to identify the most relevant applications supported by smart cities’ infrastructure with an impact in urban logistic transports. A total of 39 articles were retrieved, and the results show that the main application areas are related to solid waste management and the routing of logistic fleets, namely, to improve the last mile logistics.

Keywords: smart cities, systematic review, urban logistics, urban mobility

Gonçalo Santinha [g.santinha@ua.pt], Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences, University of Aveiro
Ana Dias [anadias@ua.pt], Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, Department of Economics, Industrial Engineering, Management and Tourism, University of Aveiro
Mário Rodrigues [mjfr@ua.pt], Institute of Electronics and Informatics Engineering of Aveiro, Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro
Carlos Rodrigues [cjose@ua.pt], Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences, University of Aveiro
Rute Bastardo [rutebastardo@gmail.com], Science and Technology School, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro
João Pavão [jpavao@utad.pt], Science and Technology School, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro
Nelson Pacheco Rocha [npr@ua.pt], Institute of Electronics and Informatics Engineering of Aveiro, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro

Citation

APA: Santinha, G., Dias, A., Rodrigues, M., Rodrigues, C., Bastardo, R., Pavão, J., & Pacheco Rocha, N. (2021). Smart Cities and Urban Logistics: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Europa XXI, 41, 37-58. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.2
MLA: Santinha, Gonçalo, et al. "Smart Cities and Urban Logistics: A Systematic Review of the Literature". Europa XXI, vol. 41, 2021, pp. 37-58. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.2
Chicago: Santinha, Gonçalo, Dias, Ana, Rodrigues, Mário, Rodrigues, Carlos, Bastardo, Rute, Pavão, João, and Pacheco Rocha, Nelson. "Smart Cities and Urban Logistics: A Systematic Review of the Literature". Europa XXI 41 (2021): 37-58. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.2
Harvard: Santinha, G., Dias, A., Rodrigues, M., Rodrigues, C., Bastardo, R., Pavão, J., & Pacheco Rocha, N. 2021. "Smart Cities and Urban Logistics: A Systematic Review of the Literature". Europa XXI, vol. 41, pp. 37-58. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.2

Digitization in Austrian small-town regions: opportunities and risks for spatial planning and development

Ulrike Stroissnig

Europa XXI (2021) vol. 41, pp. 59-76 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.3
citation: Stroissnig, U. (2021). Digitization in Austrian small-town regions: opportunities and risks for spatial planning and development. Europa XXI, 41, 59-76. https://doi.prg/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.3

Further information

Abstract

The digitization of our society continues to progress, which comes with implications for cities and regions. This paper reviews the existing literature on digitization and spatial development. It then identifies the potentially concerned sectors of spatial development through re-interpreting the basic ‘functions of existence’ in the light of digitization. Expert interviews in three selected Austrian small-town regions inform the outcome of the paper: an extensive list of opportunities and risks through digitization in the fields of mobility, economy, tourism, environment, social infrastructure, local governance and planning.

Keywords: Austria, case study, digitization, small-town, spatial development, urban region

Ulrike Stroissnig [ulrike.stroissnig@gmx.at], University of Vienna, Department of Geography and Regional Research

Citation

APA: Stroissnig, U. (2021). Digitization in Austrian small-town regions: opportunities and risks for spatial planning and development. Europa XXI, 41, 59-76. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.3
MLA: Stroissnig, Ulrike. "Digitization in Austrian small-town regions: opportunities and risks for spatial planning and development". Europa XXI, vol. 41, 2021, pp. 59-76. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.3
Chicago: Stroissnig, Ulrike. "Digitization in Austrian small-town regions: opportunities and risks for spatial planning and development". Europa XXI 41 (2021): 59-76. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.3
Harvard: Stroissnig, U. 2021. "Digitization in Austrian small-town regions: opportunities and risks for spatial planning and development". Europa XXI, vol. 41, pp. 59-76. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.3

A review of the challenges and strategies of delivering services of general interest in European rural areas

Nathalie Tent, Alexandru Brad, Juliane Klöden, Alistair Adam Hernández, Jörn Bannert, Alice Gebauer

Europa XXI (2021) vol. 41, pp. 77-105 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.4
citation: Tent, N., Brad, A., Klöden, J., Adam Hernández, A., Bannert, J., & Gebauer, A. (2021). A review of the challenges and strategies of delivering services of general interest in European rural areas. Europa XXI, 41, 77-105. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.4

Further information

Abstract

In many of Europe’s rural regions, sociodemographic changes, the transformation of the labour market, and the advent of digitalisation pose significant challenges in safeguarding services of general interest (SGI). This paper draws on a broad literature review to identify the key challenges and potential adaptation strategies in three SGIs in four European countries. Our analysis explores potentials for redesigning the accessibility of these SGIs, restructuring their human and physical assets, and improving the coordination of their delivery. We argue that in the context of a fading welfare state, there is scope for improving the local coordination of state, private, and civil society actors in delivering SGIs in rural areas.

Keywords: firefighters, medical care, post-school education, rural areas, services of general interest, sociodemographic changes

Nathalie Tent [nathalie.tent@uni-oldenburg.de], Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
Alexandru Brad [alexandru.brad@thuenen.de], Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries
Juliane Klöden [juliane.kloeden@tu-dresden.de], TU Dresden, Chair of Land Management
Alistair Adam Hernández [adam@arl-net.de], Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association
Jörn Bannert [bannert@gih.uni-hannover.de], Leibniz University Hannover, Geodetic Institute
Alice Gebauer [gebauer@gih.uni-hannover.de], Leibniz University Hannover, Geodetic Institute

Citation

APA: Tent, N., Brad, A., Klöden, J., Adam Hernández, A., Bannert, J., & Gebauer, A. (2021). A review of the challenges and strategies of delivering services of general interest in European rural areas. Europa XXI, 41, 77-105. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.4
MLA: Tent, Nathalie, et al. "A review of the challenges and strategies of delivering services of general interest in European rural areas". Europa XXI, vol. 41, 2021, pp. 77-105. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.4
Chicago: Tent, Nathalie, Brad, Alexandru, Klöden, Juliane, Adam Hernández, Alistair, Bannert, Jörn, and Gebauer, Alice. "A review of the challenges and strategies of delivering services of general interest in European rural areas". Europa XXI 41 (2021): 77-105. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.4
Harvard: Tent, N., Brad, A., Klöden, J., Adam Hernández, A., Bannert, J., & Gebauer, A. 2021. "A review of the challenges and strategies of delivering services of general interest in European rural areas". Europa XXI, vol. 41, pp. 77-105. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.4

Experimenting for long-term transformation. Key insights into 20 years of German pilot schemes for innovative rural public service and infrastructure provision

Alistair Adam Hernández, Carolin Schneider

Europa XXI (2021) vol. 41, pp. 107-128 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.5
citation: Adam Hernández, A. & Schneider, C. (2021). Experimenting for long-term transformation. Key insights into 20 years of German pilot schemes for innovative rural public service and infrastructure provision. Europa XXI, 41, 107-128. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.5

Further information

Abstract

In a context of highly heterogeneous development prospects for rural areas in the German Federal Republic, maintaining public services and infrastructure in peripheral locations is facing major challenges. Since the 1990s, a number of nationwide and publicly-funded pilot schemes have experimented with innovative approaches for the long-term transformation of the way public services and infrastructure are provided in the countryside. Nevertheless, the continuity of these approaches often turns out to be problematic. This paper analyses a series of pilot schemes as instruments for territorial development and presents new findings at multiple levels for enhancing their performance.

Keywords: basic services and infrastructure, demographic decline, Germany, innovation, pilot schemes, rural areas

Alistair Adam Hernández [adam@arl-net.de], Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association
Carolin Schneider [carolin-schneider@freenet.de], Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association

Citation

APA: Adam Hernández, A., & Schneider, C. (2021). Experimenting for long-term transformation. Key insights into 20 years of German pilot schemes for innovative rural public service and infrastructure provision. Europa XXI, 41, 107-128. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.5
MLA: Adam Hernández, Alistair, and Schneider, Carolin. "Experimenting for long-term transformation. Key insights into 20 years of German pilot schemes for innovative rural public service and infrastructure provision". Europa XXI, vol. 41, 2021, pp. 107-128. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.5
Chicago: Adam Hernández, Alistair, and Schneider, Carolin. "Experimenting for long-term transformation. Key insights into 20 years of German pilot schemes for innovative rural public service and infrastructure provision". Europa XXI 41 (2021): 107-128. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.5
Harvard: Adam Hernández, A., & Schneider, C. 2021. "Experimenting for long-term transformation. Key insights into 20 years of German pilot schemes for innovative rural public service and infrastructure provision". Europa XXI, vol. 41, pp. 107-128. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.5

Homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies and action plans of the Berlin Senate

Sebastian Meier

Europa XXI (2021) vol. 41, pp. 129-151 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.7
citation: Meier, S. (2021). Homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies and action plans of the Berlin Senate. Europa XXI, 41, 129-151. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.7

Further information

Abstract

One of the social groups particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic is people experiencing homelessness, as they are especially vulnerable to infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2). Still, the pandemic also drastically affected their livelihoods, as parts of municipal emergency assistance services have broken away. This article aims to highlight emergency responses of the Berlin Senate to people experiencing homelessness regarding COVID-19. The Senate is responding to the issue, among other things, by expanding and refiguring the existing contingent of shelters run by municipal emergency assistance services, preventing transmission of COVID-19 and treating those infected, and establishing mechanisms of tenant protection. The paper discusses to what extent Senate measures and interventions at the onset of the pandemic can address the emergent need for homeless assistance services in Berlin.

Keywords: Berlin Senate, COVID-19, critical urban geography, homelessness, housing, inequality, public health, social epidemiology

Sebastian Meier [meierseb@mail.de], Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Citation

APA: Meier, S. (2021). Homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies and action plans of the Berlin Senate. Europa XXI, 41, 129-151. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.7
MLA: Meier, Sebastian. "Homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies and action plans of the Berlin Senate". Europa XXI, vol. 41, 2021, pp. 129-151. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.7
Chicago: Meier, Sebastian. "Homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies and action plans of the Berlin Senate". Europa XXI 41 (2021): 129-151. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.7
Harvard: Meier, S. 2021. "Homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies and action plans of the Berlin Senate". Europa XXI, vol. 41, pp. 129-151. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2021.41.7