Territorial Actors Research Articles

Action Research for the Simultaneous Transformation of Governments and their Territorial Governance

Given the complex eco-social challenges humanity faces, deep transformations in policy and politics are needed to support necessary transitions. A key aspect is reshaping how governments interact with territorial actors when addressing complex challenges —an outward change that also requires inward transformation within governments. While action research (AR) offers frameworks for organisational change (e.g., Coghlan and Brannick 2001; Greenwood and Levin 2007), the Action Research for Territorial Development (ARTD) approach focuses on transforming inter-organisational relationships within a territory. However, all these contributions often overlook the need to integrate both inward and outward transformations. This paper draws on the case of Bilbao Next Lab— a policy laboratory to foster urban competitiveness through ARTD—to contribute to the AR literature and propose a new framework for simultaneously addressing government and territorial transformation. The analysis is focused on a year-long process involving seven reflection–action cycles within two dialogue spaces with policymakers from Bilbao Ekintza, the economic development agency of Bilbao City Council. These spaces involved both technical staff and senior policymakers. The findings highlight the importance of addressing both territorial and organisational complexity in action research processes aimed at fostering inward and outward transformations. More open, horizontal, and participatory forms of interaction within governments can promote the joint participation of members of higher and lower positions in collaborative governance spaces, thereby strengthening territorial praxis by bridging reflection and decision-making with action. Furthermore, when these different profiles engage in territorial spaces, the effectiveness of collaborative governance tends to increase.

Research, teaching and university extension: the case of Andean Chocó Commonwealth

Since its establishment in 2018, the Observatory of Ecuadorian Territory Production - OPTE has been developing a model of practical integration between teaching, research and university extension. Its project in the Andean Chocó Commonwealth (MCA) describes the methodology that integrates these fundamental pillars of public higher education under a pedagogy that horizontally connects teachers, students, and social actors for the exchange of knowledge through territorial action. This work characterizes the trajectory of the project along four territorial actions that combine procedures to which all actors contribute, perfecting their knowledge towards a common objective. Finally, pedagogical elements of a transformative praxis within academic communities are discussed with the aim of influencing the territory based on real demands.

Diseño de estrategias participativas para el desarrollo territorial en entidades de salud Caldas y Quindío

Building predictive and preventive health models is the fundamental concern of a public policy focused on the comprehensive and holistic care of human beings immersed in the country's territorial reality. Objective. To establish transectional phenomenological perspectives in designing participatory strategies for territorial development in health entities in Caldas and Quindío. Method. This approach articulates epistemological contributions of phenomenology and transectionality to involve both worker participants and users. Their narratives enable access to lived experiences related to participation in the different moments, spaces, and activities that are part of accessing universal health care. Results. The results indicate an improvement in the quality and warmth of the primary care services provided. Conclusion. Consciously and reflexively linking territorial actors is essential for building healthy territories at the departmental, district, and municipal levels. It is crucial to include minorities and other population sectors that must be prioritized in the development plans of the territories.

ORGANIZACIONES SOCIO-TERRITORIALES Y SUS ARTICULACIONES CON AGENTES SOCIALES Y ESTATALES DURANTE LA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19 EN LA CIUDAD DE RÍO CUARTO

The aim of this article is to highlight the role and connections of socio-territorial organizations in sustaining and reproducing life during the Covid-19 pandemic in a medium-sized city in the south of the province of Córdoba, Argentina. The focus is on understanding the various relationships that these actors recognize having with other state and territorial actors, and how this relates to their territorial inscription moment. The article will also address the organizations' perspective on different levels of the state and their political conceptions, always in dialogue with a broader context.

Business politics as a causal mechanism shaping uneven regional development across Romania’s automotive industry

Abstract We develop and deploy a business politics lens to examine the mechanisms and processes of negotiation through which multinational enterprises (MNEs) and various host country actors interact, leading to different regional trajectories of economic development. We assess two contrasting lead firms from differing home country contexts investing in the automotive industry in Romania, operating in two regions with distinct historical-spatial industrial organization and economic development. We advance a contribution on business politics as dynamic, relational, multi-scalar, and influenced by varied conjunctural factors—historical, geographical, political, institutional, and firm-driven—exposing how MNEs and territorial actors co-shape distinct processes of international economic (dis)integration.

The Metaverse Territorial Brand: A Contemporary Concept

The “Metaverse Territorial Brand” integrates core and interconnected elements into a virtual, interactional, experiential, and immersive space known as the metaverse. This type of brand encompasses the connection with immersive territories that may or may not be digital twins of real territories. It also encompasses two interconnected physical scales: the territorial and the regional, involved in another type of emerging territorial scale, known as the metaversal scale. Therefore, the “Metaverse Territorial Brand” is a digital-immersive extension of the territorial brand of physical territories, encompassing specific geographical and cultural aspects, but directed to the metaverse environment. This brand is a symbolic digital construction, but also a multifaceted one that incorporates discursive and visual elements, articulated by the social actors of the immersive territory, aiming to create a specific and distinct identity for a space in the metaverse. When talking about social actors in the metaverse (users), we highlight that this set of actors may or may not be the same as the physical territory. It is also important to highlight that both the territorial brand directed to physical territories and the “Metaverse Territorial Brand” are formed from the power relations of a given set of social actors. Therefore, without the strategic intention of a plurality of social actors that stimulate these relationships, there is no type of territorial brand involved.

Expansion of the distribution range of angiosperm species for the states of Maranhão and Tocantins, Brazil, through a territorial action plan

We expand the geographical distribution of 10 angiosperm species in Maranhão and Tocantins states. The species were collected during two field expeditions carried out by the Territorial Action Plan for the conservation of endangered species of the Meio Norte Territory between September 20 and 30, 2022 and between July 24 and 30, 2023, in both states. Photographs, comments on morphology and distribution-al data are provided for species of Acanthaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Orchidace-ae, Plantaginaceae, Pontederiaceae and Turneraceae.

Mission, (self)-perception and role in localized food systems of Italian biodistricts: insights from a Delphi survey

The spread of biodistricts (BDs) in Italy covers approximately 30% of the national territory. Their emergence is driven by specific local reasons and broader motivations, such as a favorable political climate and improved access to health and local food for all citizens. The rapid development of BDs has sparked significant interest from national and regional legislation, as well as from scientific and gray literature. However, there remain ongoing debates regarding the criteria for defining and identifying BD, the appropriate governance models to adopt, and the scope of their functions, particularly in relation to market and supply chain development. A three-round Delphi study was conducted to address these controversial issues and achieve expert consensus on the characteristics and potential direction for BDs as policy actors aligned with their mission. Beginning with a set of 12 open questions, the final round of the survey focused on the definition of BDs, their resilience in times of crisis, and their market strategies. According to the respondents, the specificity of BDs lies more in their functions than in their structural and organizational characteristics (such as the concentration of organic farming or the presence of a structured supply chain). Nevertheless, these structural elements must be pursued as objectives to enable meaningful territorial actions by leveraging local social capital. In this context, fostering interaction between producers and consumers and meeting local demand should be central to BD strategy. However, this does not preclude the possibility of entering national and international markets, especially when it supports the enhancement of local supply chains. Recent crises have served as a testing ground for BD governance, revealing that resilience is closely tied to the organizational maturity of the BDs.

Public Territorial Governance and Community-Based Tourism for Sustainable Local Development: A Case-Study of Paraty, Brazil

Summary Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is a mode of tourism management that has several foundations articulated for Sustainable Local Development (SLD). Nevertheless, achieving its principles often depends on the interaction with other territorial actors, that is, on Public Territorial Governance (PTG). Consequently, this case study identifies how PTG mechanisms can involve CBT in the process of co-promoting SLD by focusing on the Paraty/Brazil Municipal Tourism Council (COMTUR). This was studied because it is a PTG space open to local CBT initiatives that discuss SLD-related agendas. We collected data through the document analysis of COMTUR minutes and the on-site observation of COMTUR meetings. Data were interpreted by the thematic content analysis technique. The results show that PTG can involve CBT in the process of co-promotion of SLD, through four main elements: Co-need, co-potentiality, co-effectiveness, and co-legitimacy. Information © The Authors 2024

Democratic participatory networks and governance processes in Sicily

Democratic participatory networks and governance processes in Sicily

Gestión territorial contemporánea entre los nahuas de Tlamacazapa, Estado de Guerrero, México

Territorial management, as an alternative tool for the controversial concept of development, offers land management plans to regulate anthropogenic activities and protect ecosystems. However, institutional measures continue to bring together the participation of territorial actors and to be challenged by increased environmental crises. The above motivates the following question: What is the relationship between territorial management and human capacities? This article aims to analyze the contemporary territorial management of the Nahuas of Tlamacazapa from the human capacities perspective, focusing on the family, cultural, and environmental spheres. This was researched in poor Nahua families and their ways of occupying, managing, and taking advantage of the territory based on their abilities, knowledge, and skills. The methodology used was qualitative. Ontological dialogues help specify the relationship between study families and the territory. The materialization of ontological knowledge in the territory intends to extend the discussion of contemporary territorial management.

Improved cross-border relevance through integrated interventions: the TAPE tool of the INTERREG V-A Slovakia-Hungary Programme

ABSTRACT The paper presents the first outcomes and results of using an integrated territorial tool applied by the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme (2014–2020), the ‘Territorial Action Plan for Employment’, or, briefly: the TAPE. The tool is aimed at facilitating quality employment and cross-border labour mobility through the implementation of 2–7 interdependent projects within a geographically defined subregion of the programme area, with the involvement of SMEs, training institutions, NGOs and municipalities. The author introduces the tool and the nine TAPEs financed by the CBC programme and gives a comprehensive assessment of their outcomes and results from the points of view of cross-border labour market development, integrated soft planning and trust building with a special focus on the aspect of cross-border relevance. The study concludes that the tool does not meet the preliminary expectations: its cross-border relevance is not much stronger than the traditional standalone CBC projects. At the same time, the bottom-up cross-border planning exercise has significant added value which might make the tool attractive for other CBC programmes, too.

Economic and financial analysis in the pea production system (Pisum sativumL.) in Nariño, Colombia

The pea production system in the Department of Nariño, Colombia, constitutes an important pillar within the life strategies of Nariño families, representing a good portion of the high Andean landscape. However, despite its importance, there remains a notable lack of information in aspects such as direct and indirect costs, profitability, and other key economic variables, for the development of this productive system and for decision making, particularly in the Nariño context. current. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to carry out a detailed economic and financial analysis, focused on the producers participating in the AGROSAVIA Social Balance project, to facilitate a deep understanding of the dynamics of this productive system. To this end, 38 semi-structured interviews were carried out with producers adopting Agrosavia Obonuco Andina and Agrosavia San Isidro varieties between the years 2019 to 2022. Producers were identified through the snowball strategy and references from key territorial actors. The analysis involved calculations of economic and financial ratios, production costs and the application of an econometric model based on the Cobb-Douglas function, using ordinary least squares to evaluate the efficiency and inefficiency of the crop. The findings reveal an annual increase in production costs of 9.5 %, a financial profitability of 35 % according to the internal rate of return (IRR), and a technical efficiency of 1.67. Factors such as seed and labour exerted a predominant influence on productivity, while aspects such as production area and age showed inefficiencies, which is why more efficient management strategies for available physical resources, more active involvement of the family and management strategies and appropriation of knowledge and technologies with an intergenerational approach.

Optimizing spatial survey administration adopting RT-GSCS: A statistical perspective on performance metrics

Optimizing spatial survey administration adopting RT-GSCS: A statistical perspective on performance metrics

Cooperative governance in the Mediterranean: developing a macro-regional application model

The European and Mediterranean territorial administrations lack transnational mechanisms that facilitate their active contribution to resolving common global issues that affect them. This situation has led subnational entities to develop their own alliances and collaborations through associations and networks. In this environment of growing cross-cutting and interdependence, concepts such as cooperative governance, territorial governance, or collaborative networks are increasingly present and, at the same time, their meaning becomes more complex. Thus, the need for a cooperative governance system that can facilitate these collaborative processes in a Euro-Mediterranean context has gained relevance. This article arises as a contribution to the need expressed by multi-level administrations at the European and Mediterranean level to define their own cooperation strategies. It presents the main results of a research work on collaborative strategies of various territorial actors (networks, subnational entities, and institutions) carried out during 2023 within the framework of the School of Public Administration of Catalonia. The main objective of this analysis is to contribute to defining an analytical tool that is useful for Euro-Mediterranean territorial cooperation, both in terms of study and policy definition.

From Planning to Strategic Territorial Management

Territorial action in Morocco has been characterized since the colonial period by conflicts between spatial, institutional, and territorial logics. During the colonial period, there was a predominant intention to control the national territory and modernize the country. Shortly after gaining independence, Morocco gradually engaged in a top-down territorial planning policy, with the main objective of improving the living conditions of its citizens. Today, things have changed; the centralizing development approach has become obsolete in the face of two key dimensions: territorial diversity and the presence of various territorial actors, including humans. This is where strategic territorial management comes into play. Therefore, the aim of this article is to study the transition from territorial planning to strategic territorial management in the municipality of Settat through participative governance. A qualitative method was adopted for this purpose. Documentary analysis and questionnaires were essential tools for data collection. The results indicate that strategic territorial management at the municipal level faces several challenges, primarily related to the inefficiency of development policies. This inefficiency is mainly attributed to a lack of citizen participation in the territorial decision-making process.

Evaluación del Impacto Territorial, Análisis de Costes y Beneficios y principio de No Causar Daños Significativos para el diseño de obras y planes sostenibles

Economic, financial, and spatial analytical models are known to be integral parts of large territorial works and plans. Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and, newly, Territorial Impact Assessment (TIA) and Do Not Significant Harms principle (DNSH) are required to support the decision-making and evaluation process underlying climate change, initial strategic investment confirmation and final reporting. Looking at them from an economic-geographical perspective and drawing inspiration from ongoing experiences in Europe and Italy, methodological and operational guidelines are suggested in the paper to address this issue, so that both the environmental and social costs are reflected in the costs/prices/returns and in the mitigation of the public works impacts, creating a strong link between economy, territory, and environment, so that externalities can become internalities. The underlying thesis is that, knowing the territorial impacts generated by the TIA and the sustainable consistency of the project with the DNSH taxonomy, it is possible to adopt compensatory and mitigation actions, including in the related CBAs; and, at the same time, to minimise the costs resulting from the lack of policy coordination in territorial action between regional and local plans, both horizontal and vertical, when large infrastructure projects come from top-down decision as in the case of Recovery and Resilience Facility plan

Territorial Management: A Tool for Local Development

Territorial management involves reinventing the territory in terms of projects and promoting its development. It entails guiding transformation processes and altering the territory while considering its specificities and resources, in order to create a development process that engages all local stakeholders. The objective of territorial management is to encourage the development of the territory with the participation of the entire population. It involves building a system of alliances where the population is seen as a stakeholder. This fosters improved institutional cooperation among local authorities, aiming to meet current needs without compromising resources for future generations.Maintaining a fundamental balance between territorial development, social cohesion, and environmental conservation generally requires territorial strategies that involve collective action based on a comprehensive organization, encompassing both economic and social dynamics. The demand for territorial development is increasing, making it essential for Algeria to transform its approaches to territorial action. A developing territory results from collective interaction that anticipates threats and opportunities, devising corresponding territorial strategies.

Participatory modeling of past, current and future groundwater governance: An experiment in Aousja Ghar El Melh, Tunisia

Participatory modeling of past, current and future groundwater governance: An experiment in Aousja Ghar El Melh, Tunisia

Exploring Cross-Border Labor Commuting as a Practice of Tactical Mobility

Within the last few years there has been an increased interest in the interplay of structure and agency in border studies. Following the strategic-relational approach, these studies generally focus on territorial actors, particularly subnational institutions and how they use their capacities, to establish transnational cooperation and networks, to overcome the obstacles resulting from national and / or multi-governmental policies. Like subnational organizations and institutions on border regions, cross-border commuters develop and use tactics to overcome the socio-economic and legal risks and crises. Based on the thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews with commuters from Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Poland, it is demonstrated that by being mobile across the borders, commuters aim at gaining flexibility and a relatively advantageous position in housing and labor markets of different countries. This paper, by referring to the strategic-relational approach, argues that cross-border mobility is practiced as a form of tactical mobility in which commuters constantly revise their mobility practices, depending on new, emerging socio-economic conditions. Moreover, by referring to the concept of de Certeau’s (1984) tactic, three main typologies of cross-border mobility are conceptualized.