ESPON project package: 'CE FLOWS – Spatial dynamics and integrated territorial development scenarios for the functional area of Central Europe'

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Abstract

The CE-FLOWS targeted analysis provides in-depth insights into the spatial dynamics and existing flows across regions in central Europe and identifies main development potentials, drivers and bottlenecks in this functional area.

In the first step, the project team developed a regional characterisation of the NUTS2 regions in the CE area using a cluster analysis. This step was individual to each thematic flow (i.e., Economic interactions and networks, flow of people, environmental hazards, accessibility and connectivity) and is based on relevant socio-economic, environmental, and geographic characteristics associated with a given flow. It further allowed the project team to differentiate between sending and receiving regions. These developed typologies of regions are centred around the types of flows observed in the individual NUTS2 region within the CE area. Sending regions generally present the starting point of a flow.

To contextualise these typologies, the results of each cluster analysis were paired with a geographic layer or, if applicable, a point-to-point visualisation of flows via geographic

information system (GIS) mapping. This contextual layer illustrates the relationship between each cluster1 and provides illustrative anchor points on the type of relationship between the clusters.

The analysis of existing partnerships – the third step of our approach – is complementary to the cluster and GIS methods depicted above and relies on two main components: a quantitative analysis at NUTS2 level, emphasising the existing links and connections between the CE regions on thematic areas, and a qualitative study of the different typologies of partnerships and territorial cooperation agreements, highlighting instruments and policies employed as well as good practices, governance mechanisms and solutions impacting territorial cooperation. The quantitative analysis relies on data covering the European Territorial Cooperation (ETC), the EU Funding Instrument for the environment and climate action (LIFE), and the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Horizon 2020).

Lastly, the identification of untapped potential results from a traditional statistical analysis linking socio-economic development and the regional assets. The statistical

analysis shows whether the use of each resource is as efficient in the CE area as in European regions where no borders exist.

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