Shape and be shaped: the future dynamics of regional development

Abstract

The 2013 Regional Studies Association European Conference took place in Tampere, Finland, between 5-8 May with the theme 'Shape and be shaped: the future dynamics of regional development'. With the continued impact of the European economic downturn in the background, the conference sought to explore the dynamic and recip- rocal relationships between regions, localities and the social, economic and environ- mental forces that intersect and influence them. Hosted at the University of Tampere, the three-day conference had a strong emphasis on policy and practice, particularly related to the agenda of the European Union and how its policies and programmes influence (or do not influence) regional outcomes. As a non-capital, traditionally industrial city that has successfully recreated itself and risen to become among the top knowledge cities in Europe, Tampere was a fitting location to explore the varied regional impacts that have resulted from the European economic downturn and how cities and regions can work to reimagine their place in the world.Conference organisation and contributionsThe conference was well organised and in keeping with the mission of the Regional Studies Association (RSA) as a learned society seeking to encourage interdisciplinary debate related to the broad advancement of regional studies, including not just academic participants, but also policy practitioners from across Europe and inter- nationally. The conference had sixteen 'gateway themes', as well as seven specially organised sessions (see Table i).1 In total, there were over 250 papers presented in almost ninety sessions. Nordic countries were well represented, as was to be expected from the location; however, there was also a significant Eastern European contri- bution among the papers presented. And while the main thrust of the conference focused on Europe, there was also a strong international element as well, with papers related to China, Nigeria and Japan among many others. Of particular note was the large number of papers from Brazil, no doubt due to recent efforts by the Regional Studies Association to increase its membership there and the selection of the country to host the Global Regional Studies Association Conference in 2014.Plenary sessionsThree plenary sessions were offered during the conference. The first focused on 'EU regional policy' and featured Michael Parkinson of the European Institute for Urban Affairs, Liverpool John Moores University, Pascal Boijmans of the European Commis- sion and John Bachtler of the European Policies Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde. The overall tone of the presentations focused on the role of regions in an age of EU austerity from both a research and practice perspective.Michael Parkinson asked the question: 'In an age of austerity, why invest beyond the European capital cities?' Through an analysis of over 150 European cities, he argued that far too often there is over-investment in capital cities and under-invest- ment in second-tier cities. This, he suggested, is unsustainable and leads to overall economic under-performance for member states. John Bachtler then posed the question: 'Can EU cohesion policy deliver on expectations in 2014-2020?' outlining budget and policy reform processes, the implications for cohesion policy and the new goals related to strategic coherence, thematic concentration and better performance. His presentation was followed by Pascal Boijmans, who detailed 'The secrets of a successful administration for cohesion policy', emphasising the need to work towards two short term objectives - stocktaking and providing appropriate guidance - and two longer-term objectives - tailor-made solutions for specific Member States, along with advancing, wider, systematic solutions. Taken together, the three presentations highlighted the need to address wider structural issues in the EU, in order to manage the economic recovery process, with a particular emphasis on the need for policy to remain flexible to changing socio-economic factors. …