Overcoming Fragmentation in Southeast Europe: Spatial Development Trends and Integration Potential

by Getimis, Panayiotis; Kafkalas, Grigoris

• ISBN13: 9780754647966
• ISBN10: 075464796X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-09-15
• Publisher: Ashgate Pub Co

Summary

This volume offers an alternative perspective on South Eastern Europe by providing a wide-ranging and up-to-date examination of the opportunities and achievements, as well as the challenges and difficulties, of transnational, European projects for spatial planning and economic and political integration. It argues that it is these projects'' ambition to afford a common vision and a shared road map, capable of leading in the direction of greater integration and cohesion. Mick Dunford, University of Sussex, UK. Grounded both theoretically and empirically, this book highlights both the challenges and opportunities of developing a common vision for the spatial development of Southeastern Europe. It clearly links the specific challenges to the political and geomorphologic fragmentation of the region, whilst providing useful insights on the various opportunities, particularly in the context of European integration. Hubert Heinelt, Professor for Public Policy and Urban and Regional Research at the Institute for Political Science, Darmstadt University of Technology While the various countries of Southeast Europe have recently entered into the slow process of European integration, the historic fragmentation of this region has led to various conflicts and contradictions in the restructuring and transition of national economies. This volume provides a theoretical and comparative overview which examines the prospects for spatial cohesion in this region. With the need to handle persisting problems and conflicts from the past while coping with new economic and political structures, Southeast Europe proves to be a challenging yet fruitful testing ground for how best to overcome fragmentation and establish a longterm process of social and economic integration. With the expansion of the European Union, Southeast Europe has finally been brought together within one socio-political entity, having previously been divided with Greece as an EEC ally and the Balkans made up of a variety of forms of socialist state. The restructuring of all these economies following globalization and neoliberalization has meant that this region has become much more open to geopolitical shifts and trends. While these various countries have all entered into the slow process of European integration, the historic fragmentation of this region has led to various conflicts and contradictions in the restructuring and transition of national economies. This volume provides a theoretical and comparative overview which examines the prospects for spatial cohesion in this region. With the need to handle persisting problems and conflicts from the past while coping with new economic and political structures, Southeast Europe proves to be a challenging yet fruitful testing ground for how best to overcome fragmentation and establish a longterm process of social and economic integration. Contents: Preface; Part A Introductory Overview on the Main Themes of the Book: Overcoming the fragmentation of Southeast Europe: an introductory overview of main themes, Grigoris Kafkalas. Part B Integration vs. Fragmentation in Southeast Europe: Forces, Structures and Trends: Integration and structural change: pre-accession experience in the regions of the European Union new member-states, George Petrakos and Dimitris Kallioras; Disintegrated (or fragmented) public administration and regional development policy in Eastern Europe, Ilona Palne Kovacs; Delocalisation of labour intensive activities in a globalized world: can things become better for the countries of Southeast Europe?, Thanassis Kalogeressis and Lois Labrianidis; Developmental planning and territorial integration prospects in South Eastern Europe: a foresight exercise in the region of Central Macedonia, Dimitris Foutakis and Elisavet Thoidou. Part C Spatial Development Perspectives: Concepts, Facts and Visions: Southeast Europe within changing European geographies - tracing socio-economic disparities and potentials of integration, Peter Scho

Table of Contents

Preface

Introductory Overview on the Main

Themes of the Book: Overcoming the fragmentation of Southeast Europe: an introductory overview of main themes

Integration vs

Fragmentation in Southeast Europe

Forces, Structures and Trends

Integration and structural change: pre-accession experience in the regions of the European Union new member-states

Disintegrated (or fragmented) public administration and regional development policy in Eastern Europe

Delocalization of labour intensive activities in a globalized world: can things become better for the countries of Southeast Europe?

Developmental planning and territorial integration prospects in South Eastern Europe: a foresight exercise in the region of Central Macedonia

Spatial Development Perspectives

Concepts, Facts and Visions

Southeast Europe within changing European geographies - tracing socio-economic disparities and potentials of integration

The new generation of European sustainable development documents and strategic development schemes of Serbia and Montenegro - the problem of correspondence

Settlement patterns in Europe: elements and comparative typology

Transport infrastructure priorities and territorial cohesion prospects in SE Europe

Concluding on Integration Potential

Territorial governance, institutional structures and trans-frontier cooperation prospects in South-Eastern Europe

Index

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