Speaker
Description
Currently, 40% of the population in Europe already lives in a shrinking region, where shrinking means population decline and/or aging. This especially impacts rural regions, where natural decline and continued urbanization accelerate even more shrinking in these areas. Complex policy challenges arise from this development (ESPON 2020), such as labor market shortages, fiscal sustainability, infrastructure provision, and access to services.
This paper aims to provide a practical framework for innovative strategic planning (Friedman, 1966; Albrects, 2012; Hagen and Higdem 2020) for development without (population) growth. This perspective constructively addresses the complex challenges of such areas without placing the stigma of ‘failing to grow’ on local and regional entities and societies. Such a change of mindset (Kempenaar et al. 2016; Syssner, 2020) is challenging in traditional planning terms when development equals growth, and planning research has not adequately addressed this gap (Hospers, 2013; 2014; Hagen, Higdem, & Overvåg 2023). Hence, the question is how local and regional planning authorities can master innovative planning for development without growth.
The paper builds on the results of testing a new way of planning in such areas, the Rural Planning and Innovation Model (RUPIL), in three pilot case areas in Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway (RURALPLAN, 2024). The model is designed to support local and regional master/strategic planning and innovative responses to demographic challenges in rural areas. Practical and theoretical implications are derived from this empirical testing.
References
Friedmann, J. (1966) Planning as innovation: the Chilean case. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 32, 194-204.
ESPON (2020) European Shrinking Rural Areas: Challenges, Actions and Perspectives for Territorial Governance. Final Report. Luxemburg: ESPON
Hagen, A. & Higdem, U. (2020) Innovation in Planning Theory: The Upcoming Perspective In: Hagen, A. & Higdem, U. (eds.) Innovation in Public Planning: Calculate, Communicate and Innovate. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Hagen, A., Higdem, U. & Overvåg, K. (2023) Planning to meet challenges in shrinking rural regions. Towards innovative approaches to local planning. Fennia 200, 175-190.
Hospers, G. (2013a) Coping with shrinkage in Europe’s cities and towns. Urban Design International, 18(1), 78–89.
Hospers, G.-J. (2014) Policy responses to urban shrinkage: from growth thinking to civic engagement. European Planning Studies 22(7) 1507–1523.
Kempenaar, A., van Lierop, M., Westerink, J., van der Valk, A., & van den Brink, A. (2016). Change of Thought: Findings on Planning for Shrinkage from a Regional Design Competition. Planning Practice & Research, 31(1), 23–40.
RURALPLAN, (2024) Methodological framework and knowledge. ESPON Report
Syssner, J. (2020) Pathways to Demographic Adaptation: Perspectives on Policy and Planning in Depopulating Areas in Northern Europe. Springer International Publishing, Cham.
| Keywords | Innovative planning; rural planning; demographic challenges; development without growth |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
