Regional Development Between Cohesion and Competition – Current Theses and Fields of Action

Abstract

This contribution discusses regional development drawing on the EU member state Austria as an example. The crosscutting theme is illustrated from initial positioning through to relevant fields of action. In doing so, the way forward is seen as a process and those who accompany it are seen as the ones responsible for its implementation. Responsibilities are identified along theses. These are formed in the context of demographic change, mobility, energy, regional public services, residential development, cooperation and governance processes. Fields of action are discussed in accordance with the developed theses.

Keywords

• regional development
• rural development
• sustainable land management
• european union
• cohesion policy
• peripheral rural areas