Papers by ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ ΤΟΠΑΛΟΓΛΟΥ
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ERSA conference papers, 2006
If the documents have been made available under an Open Content Licence (especially Creative Comm... more If the documents have been made available under an Open Content Licence (especially Creative Commons Licences), you may exercise further usage rights as specified in the indicated licence.
Tracing the new economic geography of borders in Europe
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Aug 1, 2005
The contemporary scene of borders and border space in Europe is composed of a series of parameter... more The contemporary scene of borders and border space in Europe is composed of a series of parameters: (a) the eastward enlargement of the European Union; (b) the European Neighbourhood Policy launched by the European Union's new strategy; and (c) the 9/11 terrorist attack, which, imperatively, addressed the issue of security. These developments have triggered a discussion concerning the future borders of European Union. What are Europe's borders and where do they end? How far should the European Union's borders extend following the next round of enlargement? What is the European Union's approach with regard to its external surroundings? What is considered to be European and what is not? All the above are merely questions that are brought to the fore, initiating a series of dilemmas and syllogisms. The present article attempts firstly to examine the political and economic geography responsible for synthesizing the new image of borders in Europe in general, and in Southeastern Europe after 1989 in particular. Moreover, the European Neighbourhood Policy is analysed, whilst at the same time the main dilemmas and concerns regarding the future of the European Union are considered.
The diptych, just transition and stakeholders' involvement, seems to be at the heart of the debat... more The diptych, just transition and stakeholders' involvement, seems to be at the heart of the debate on climate change after the 2015 Paris Agreement in particular. Within this context, the EU Green Deal strategy has politically stated that the transition should embark all key actors and leave no one behind. Given that transition denotes a long-term and deep transformation in many socioeconomic and environmental spheres, the role of stakeholders in such a multifaceted challenge, appears to be essential. To address this issue, the paper investigates the level of stakeholder engagement in three coal-intensive regions in the EU. To this end, the paper explores the risks that come to the fore of insufficient stakeholder involvement. Furthermore, it is examined to what extent Just Transition needs to be supported on a local level by place-based engagement governance mechanisms and new approaches such as deliberative democracy to achieve an active involvement of key stakeholders and make the transition pathway truly successful. The findings are based upon empirical research conducted in coal regions of Western Macedonia in Greece, Silesia in Poland and Stara Zagora in Bulgaria, within the context of the research project SITRANS (Life-2021-CET-Coal Regions, https://sitrans-project.eu/project/), attempting to shed some light on the aforementioned research questions.
Border and integration: space - economy - policies
The issue embracing the present Phd dissertation deals with the study concerning the impacts of b... more The issue embracing the present Phd dissertation deals with the study concerning the impacts of borders on space, economy and policies. More specifically, the main parameters influencing the evolution, type and intensity of cross border interaction, are recorded, analysed, and assessed through theory, implementing policies and empirical evidence. The focal point of the research is the new borders of the European Union. At the same time, the cross border zones of Greece with Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria are examined at a closer scope. The study of the triptych: border, integration and border regions has recently become an interesting concern, mainly for three reasons: First, the discussion on spatial impacts on space and economy due to the abolition of border obstacles has not been completed. Second, the developments in Europe have brought to the fore a new political and economic geography at the border which needs to be interpreted. Third, these significant geo-politic and geo-econom...
Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation
PURPOSE: This paper examines to what extent the governance modes of transition in the region of W... more PURPOSE: This paper examines to what extent the governance modes of transition in the region of Western Macedonia (Greece) are effective and just, and whether they embed transition management, spatial justice, and place-based elements. To this end, the hypothesis tested in this paper is that spatial justice and place-based policy can make a positive contribution to just and well-managed transition. In this framework, the question examined is not about ‘who is in charge for designing and implementing transition policies?’ but about ‘what is the balance and mix of transition policies at the central, regional, and local levels of administration?’. METHODOLOGY: The article critically discussed the concept of transition as a fundamental societal change through the lens of efficiency and justice. Thus, the notions of transition management and spatial justice are thoroughly explored. It also embeds the concept of ‘place’ in this discussion. Therefore, the challenges, opportunities, and sho...
Η κατάργηση των τεχνητών εμποδίων διασυνοριακής αλληλεπίδρασης εντός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, απελε... more Η κατάργηση των τεχνητών εμποδίων διασυνοριακής αλληλεπίδρασης εντός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, απελευθέρωσε δυναμικές που επηρέασαν σημαντικά τον συνοριακό οικονομικό χώρο. Αντίθετα, στα εξωτερικά σύνορα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, οι φραγμοί στη διασυνοριακή αλληλεπίδραση με τις όμορες τρίτες χώρες έγιναν πιο αισθητοί στη σφαίρα της πραγματικότητας. Μέσα σ' αυτό το περίγραμμα, ένα νέο μείγμα ευκαιριών και κινδύνων φαίνεται να έρχεται στο προσκήνιο μαζί με ένα νέο πολιτικό, κοινωνικό και οικονομικό χάρτη που επαναπροσδιορίζει την έννοια της γειτνίασης. Στο παρόν άρθρο επιχειρείται η μελέτη της "επίδρασης του συνόρου" στην Ευρώπη, μέσα από τη διερεύνηση των βασικών παραγόντων που επηρεάζουν και προσδιορίζουν τις χωρικές δυναμικές της διασυνοριακής αλληλεπίδρασης. Τα ευρήματα του άρθρου συμβάλουν στην καλύτερη κατανόηση της "επίδρασης του συνόρου", και εμπλουτίζουν τη σχετική συζήτηση τόσο στο επίπεδο της θεωρίας όσο και στο επίπεδο των πολιτικών.
Geographies of (in)justice and the (in)effectiveness of place-based policies in Greece
European Planning Studies, 2021
ABSTRACT This paper investigates the policy context of spatial injustice in Greece. Given the pol... more ABSTRACT This paper investigates the policy context of spatial injustice in Greece. Given the polarized nature of the economy and the centralized structure of the public sector, the paper examines whether place-based policies that attempt to strengthen the local level and mobilize local assets would be better opt to deliver a fair and equitable distribution of socially valued resources and opportunities in space. In this context, the paper presents and discusses the findings of four case studies and four policy-driven actions related to the design and implementation of a post-lignite local strategy, the establishment of a credible innovation strategy in a metropolitan area, the development of social economy in a lagging region and the upscaling of local government in a medium-sized city. The case studies investigate the conditioning factors that encourage or obstruct the local level to implement effective place-based policies that can contribute to spatial justice. On this basis, the paper evaluates the capability of the current policy and institutional setting to generate spatial justice and provides policy recommendations that will empower the local level in confronting socio-economic challenges and unbalanced spatial growth.
Territorial cooperation, taken as collaboration “beyond national boundaries†, among administr... more Territorial cooperation, taken as collaboration “beyond national boundaries†, among administrative bodies and/or political actors, generally offers the ground for functional cooperation towards problem-solving and challenge-tackling, along with the exploitation of the local and regional potentials. In the EU, given the high-level of political integration amongst the Member States, numerous rules and structures have been created to support territorial cooperation. In this context, the territorial cooperation is commonly linked to ‘top-down’ policy initiatives, most notably in INTERREG. The Europe 2020 strategy is linked to transnational territorial cooperation, especially through its third objective, aiming at inclusive growth and thereby contributing to the objective of territorial cohesion. The main aim of this essay is to examine the types, domains, driving forces and added value of territorial cooperation which occurs in EU and its neighboring regions. The paper attempts ...
Territorial cooperation has been gradually developing over the years into a comprehensive system ... more Territorial cooperation has been gradually developing over the years into a comprehensive system of support within Europe. Not only is it an objective of Cohesion Policy (Objective 3), but it is also the basis of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENPI CBC). A new legal instrument has recently been created – the European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation – and many unsupported/spontaneous movements are also operating in the form of city networks, and non-EU-supported, macro-regional and country-specific types of cooperation. With the growth in cooperation activities, there are increasing expectations for territorial cooperation to meet economic, social and environmental challenges formulated in various policy documents. In particular, territorial cooperation (TC) is expected to contribute to economic development and competitiveness, 1 territorial integration, 2 good neighbourhood relations, 3 the reduction of negative border effects between OMS and NMS (or weaker/stronger regions), 4...
Enterprises' Strategy across the Northern Greek Cross Border Zone: Trade, Investment and Obstacles
The research drift on border issues has been triggered over the last fifteen years. The emerging ... more The research drift on border issues has been triggered over the last fifteen years. The emerging new political and economic geography following the collapse of the Eastern block and the recent eastward European enlargement has initiated a new political and economic geography in Europe. Within this context, spatial economic dynamics at the border areas and the role of boundaries as obstacles in cross border interaction is viewed with interest.-bordering", "de-bordering", are only some of the terms and notions in bibliography concerning borders and border regions, indicating that this discussion has only just begun. This article attempts to investigate the characteristics of the new economic geography at the Northern Greek cross border zone. More specifically, the following are examined: a) the extent to which city size and distance from borders can influence the strategy of enterprises at the border regions and the level of cross border interaction. b) the association ...
Identifying barriers related to economic geography across the external borders of Europe
ABSTRACT The research drift on border issues has been triggered over the last fifteen years. The ... more ABSTRACT The research drift on border issues has been triggered over the last fifteen years. The recent eastward European enlargement in particular, has drawn on new ground for the discussion dealing with the role of boundaries as obstacles in cross border interaction. "Bridge", "wall", "tunnel", "opportunity", "threat", "borderless", "re-bordering", "de-bordering", are only some of the terms and notions concerning borders and border regions, indicating that this discussion has only just begun. The aim of this article is to identify the barriers related to economic geography, to cross border interaction occurring along the external borders of European Union. In the empirical part six types of obstacles are examined: (1) Insufficient market size. (2) Low purchasing power. (3) Difficult geographic conditions. (4) Large cities are too far away. (5) Low quality and productivity of local firms and (6) low product differentiation of local economy. An attempt also is made to detect associations between economic geography and cross border interaction. The empirical results are based on the EXLINEA research project "Lines of Exclusion as Arenas of Co-operation" which was funded by the European Commission under the 5th Action Framework.
Tracing a Model on Economic Geography of Borders
ABSTRACT The present essay attempts to shed some light on the economic geography of borders throu... more ABSTRACT The present essay attempts to shed some light on the economic geography of borders through the development of a theoretical model. The impact of integration on border space is explored and within the same context the paper also examines the manner and extent to which the location pattern of firms is affected by transport costs, market size, urban systems and non tariff barriers. In addition, the crucial question of the consequences of migration flows on a border economy is examined from a labor market perspective. The answers to these questions provide useful insights into the dynamic effects on space and the economy when the obstacles created by borders are abolished.
The recent E.U. enlargement to the east has initiated a new political and economic geography in E... more The recent E.U. enlargement to the east has initiated a new political and economic geography in Europe. Within this context, spatial economic dynamics at the E.U. external borders is viewed with interest. At a political level the twofold question raised is: "What does Europe constitute of, and, where are the defined limits to the European borders". The answer to this question is far from being clear. Although European borders have received great attention in the literature, research referring to spatial impacts of integration at the border regions is limited in number and scope. It is anticipated, that, the absence of a systematic and explanatory theory on borders causes inadequate interpretation of spatial economic dynamics focussed on the abolition of borders' barriers. The aim of this article is to investigate the characteristics of the new economic geography at the external borders of the EU and the extent to which variables of city size and distance from borders can determine the type and level of economic interaction. The empirical analysis is based on research carried out in nine cross border zones at the EU external borders, within the framework of the EXLINEA research programme. The empirical results of the analysis show systematic correlation at the borders between distance and urban system and also between the type and level of economic interaction.
Spatium, 2009
The abolition of the artificial impediments of cross-border interaction inside the European Union... more The abolition of the artificial impediments of cross-border interaction inside the European Union, has released dynamics that have influenced significantly the economic space at the frontiers. In contrast, at the European Union external borders, the constraints concerning cross-border interaction with third countries have become more tangible in the sphere of reality. Under this framework, a new mix of opportunities and the threats seems to come forth together with a new political, social and economic map that redefines the notion of vicinity. In the present article, the study of the 'border effect' in Europe is attempted through the investigation of the basic determinants of the spatial dynamics of cross-border interaction. The findings of the article contribute to the better understanding of the 'border effect' with significant implications for both theory and policy.
ERSA conference …, 2011
The abolition of the artificial impediments of cross-border interaction has produced a new EU reg... more The abolition of the artificial impediments of cross-border interaction has produced a new EU regional socioeconomic map, releasing dynamics that have influenced significantly the EU socioeconomic space. Especially at the borderlands, a new mix of opportunities and ...
The European Union’s eastward enlargement following 1st May 2004, has brought in the foreground... more The European Union’s eastward enlargement following 1st May 2004, has brought in the foreground a new geography in Europe, changing the EU’s external borders. The re-allocation of activities, opportunities and threats are changing the role and significance of the borders. Within this context borders and border regions have become an issue of great importance during the last fifteen years in both the areas of scientific research and policy making. The overall picture of the new dynamics occurring at the external EU border regions, in particular, remains rather unclear. The issue being dealt in this article focuses on the dominant policies, practices and perceptions in the Northern Greek border regions with Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria. The region of our focus is one of the most economically, socially and politically fragmented space in Europe, that has a low level of interaction and a mosaic of policies and restrictions towards each other. The paper attempts to answer to which deg...
Journal of Borderlands Studies, 2005
The processes of European Union (EU) integration and enlargement have produced a new regional soc... more The processes of European Union (EU) integration and enlargement have produced a new regional socioeconomic map in Europe. Border regions, in particular, have been put in a state of flux. The reallocation of activities, opportunities and threats is changing their socioeconomic role and significance. Thus, border regions have become an issue of great importance during the last fifteen years in both the areas of scientific research and policy making. The overall picture of the actual dynamics occurring at the border regions, however, when economic barriers have been abolished, remains rather unclear. The absence of an appropriate methodological framework for the study of the impact of EU integration and enlargement dynamics on border regions is evident. The paper proposes a typology for the EU NUTS III border regions, interpreting the socioeconomic dynamics occurring within the enlarged EU space. Primary and secondary data, incorporating quantitative and qualitative determinants for border regions, were elaborated with integrated factor and fuzzy clustering analysis techniques. The proposed border regions typology provides a framework to assess the relative position of each EU border region in the EU space.
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Papers by ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ ΤΟΠΑΛΟΓΛΟΥ