Abstract
This brief editorial introduces a set of articles dealing with territorial challenges in Europe. The EU and the member states have put attention to a silent, but growing issue of inequality: The spatial disparities are in several member states considered able to provide wider political tensions and challenges. Consequently, the EU has launched a research theme in its framework programme Horizon 2020 to cope with such matter. Most of the papers in this issue have their origin in the Horizon COHSMO project “Inequality, Urbanization and Territorial Cohesion. Developing the European Social Model of Economic Growth and Democratic Capacity.” While social or economic inequalities are recognized as a social problem, spatial disparities are forgotten or ignored. However, territorial inequalities do boost social and economic differences and add to growing tensions and contradictions in many cases. Coping with such challenges is a difficult matter; most European countries have had programmes aiming at rebalancing regional inequalities for many years. Despite major investments in public services, infrastructure, education and culture, as well as targeted support for private investors, businesses raising employment opportunities and so on. However, the success in terms of growing population and employment has been limited. Instead, endogenous structures and relations receive more attention; in particularly local capacity to generate solutions and means to promote economic and social development. This ability strongly links to the concept of collective efficacy, i.e., a joint understanding and capability to organize and execute actions of mutual benefit.
Highlights
It is evident that places differ in terms of qualities and opportunities
Those born in backward regions face more obstacles on average compared to children living on the sunny side
The spatial impact is visible as marked differences in employment, education, income, health, living conditions and so on
Summary
It is evident that places differ in terms of qualities and opportunities. Those born in backward regions face more obstacles on average compared to children living on the sunny side. In the best of all worlds, the place of birth or living should have as little impact as possible on socioeconomic chances and public policies should be in place to lessen such inequalities This is obviously not the case; a simple check on life expectancy reveals surprisingly big differences both between countries and regions, and between neighbourhoods, as well as between social classes. The geographies of economic, social and political development change as new industries and technologies, social demands and opportunities, cultural, religious relations and so on replace older structures and relations Such changes have accelerated over the last decades and produced new lines of division and contradiction; former successful regions have faced decline for half a century without significant progress while previously-backward regions suddenly appear as new, successful centres for high-tech manufacturing. A combination of marked territorial disparities and simultaneous social and political dissatisfaction may enhance disintegration and produce new oppositions
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