In this article, the authors analyse the development policy of the major road network in the Polish-Czech border areas in 1958–2024. The methodology of content analysis covering histori­cal bilateral and European planning documents and GIS spatial analysis of access to border areas via roads crossing the border. The analyses have shown: (1) dominance of political and expert planning, without the use of scientific network models; (2) decentralisation of planning and resignation from common documents; (3) prioritising east-west connections and disregarding the north-south European ones; and (4) the greatest increase in border permeability only after the elimination of permanent border controls within the EU Schengen Area since 2007, but mainly due to the opening of historical roads.

The study of the convergence of the euro area (EA) regions allows to test theoretical hypotheses such as: the ex-post satisfaction of the OCA conditions and the resilience to the crisis of the OCA countries. Related to these facts, it has to be noted the emergence of new centers and peripheries in the European Union and euro area. We considered the per capita GDP over the period 2001–2018, the analysis is carried out by applying different methodologies such as: convergence indicators and spatial statistics models. Our results confirm the presence of divergent processes among the EA regions.

With a review of: Filipe TELES, Carlos RODRIGUES, Fernando RAMOS and Anabela BOTELHO (eds), Territorial Innovation in Less Developed Regions: Governance, Technologies, and Sustainability, Palgrave Macmillan, London/New York 2023, 305 pages, Matthias KIESE, Rasmus BECK, Dirk FORNAHL and Christian KETELS (eds), Beyond Innovation Hotspots: Clusters for Competitiveness and Transformation in Real Regions, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham 2024, 216 pages, and María del Carmen SÁNCHEZ CARREIRA, Paulo Jorge Reis MOURÃO and Bruno BLANCO-VARELA (eds), European Regional Policy and Development: Forgotten Regions and Spaces, Routledge, Abingdon 2024, 220 pages

Short food supply chains (SFSCs) and local markets, where farmers sell directly to consumers, are expanding across the EU, offering alternatives to conventional food chains that limit small farmers’ bargaining power and consumer traceability. In the EU, 15% of farms sell over half of their production directly. For Kosovo’s agricultural sector, SFSCs present new opportunities. This study examines SFSCs in Kosovo using data from 2,500 respondents. The findings show that 54% rely on oral contracts, 20% on written agreements, and distributors use multiple sourcing channels. SFSCs can enhance sustainability, trust, equality and growth in agriculture, business, and rural policy.

The article examines cross-border trade dynamics within the framework of European economic convergence, focusing on trade between Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary. It aims to shed light on trade trends, implications in the context of economic integration, and convergence efforts. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of trade channels, outlining the economic convergence goals and principles within the European context and highlighting the importance of trade. It explores specific trade channels between Ukraine and its neighbouring countries, analyses data, and assesses the impact on economic development and convergence efforts. The findings contribute to understanding the role of trade in promoting cohesion.

The European Green Deal is promoting a twinned transition which is expected to be just and green. Various related terminologies have gained ground without being precisely defined or commonly agreed upon. Following an interdisciplinary exploratory approach, this contribution discusses the terminological inexactitudes which could risk a common conceptualisation, operationalisation, and implementation of the so-called Just Green Transitions. Through a critical interpretative literature review, this contribution highlights the conceptual fragmentation of these three dimensions: just as a polylemma of socio-spatial-temporal justice, green as a non-replication of pseudo-fashionable labels, and transitions as meta, multiple, and multilevel paths of institutional and social changes.

The European Green Deal is promoting a twinned transition which is expected to be just and green. Various related terminologies have gained ground without being precisely defined or commonly agreed upon. Following an interdisciplinary exploratory approach, this contribution discusses the terminological inexactitudes which could risk a common conceptualisation, operationalisation, and implementation of the so-called Just Green Transitions. Through a critical interpretative literature review, this contribution highlights the conceptual fragmentation of these three dimensions: just as a polylemma of socio-spatial-temporal justice, green as a non-replication of pseudo-fashionable labels, and transitions as meta, multiple, and multilevel paths of institutional and social changes.

In the presented article, the perception of urban space in the context of the concept of sustainable development (SD) is being addressed. It can be seen as an umbrella term encompassing various model visions of urban development, including green city, creative city, smart city, 15-minute city, just city, participatory city, happy city, inclusive city, and compact city. Based on qualitative research conducted in Warsaw, Poland, key narrative fields for each model have been identified. The article shows how the different model visions are revealed in the expectations and assessments formulated towards urban space. The key conclusions concern the need to change the dominant “flat” narrative of urban sustainability, which is accompanied by a relatively poor language and a one-dimensional view of complex multi-layered issues. The conclusion emphasizes the need to appeal more to the values that are the pillars of the individual model visions of urban SD, as well as issues that appeal to emotions.

This paper describes intemational migration in a changing political and economic environment. Recent trends in migration cannot be fully cxplained by convential economic labour demand and supply approaches, since migration flows have increased despite the limited job opportunities in the regions of destination. A different approach which explains the recent migration flows is developed within the systems approach. Using this approach, this paper introduces a conceptual framework which depicts migration motives and decisions and the factors which influence these decisions. An overview of macroeconomic foctors influencing the migration decision is given and policies, which to a large extent determine whether migration is possible or not, are described. Furthermore, the labour market consequences of migration are described. lt is found that the impact of immigrants on the host countries is usually positivc. However, these results are mainly found in the United States and therefore have no universal validity. In Europe, these findings may he somewhat different due to the different institutional settings. Furthemore, immigrant groups are not equally distributed throughout the country but are often conccntrated in city areas. Research should therefore he concentrated on the effects at the urban level.

The paper looks into the future development of European integration in the context of the role of big cities in this process. London, Paris and Berlin are the main contenders to take the leading position. The author compares their respective strengths and weaknesses, discussing heritage as well as contemporary planning efforts. The conclusion indicates that Europe may end up with a polycentric system of capital cities rather than with a single capital.