References

Original Reference: van Dijk, J. A. G. M. (2008), ‘The digital divide in Europe’, in The handbook of internet politics, Routledge, London and New York.

Brief Summary: Addresses the gaps in digital infrastructure across Europe and its implications for rural communities. Recommendations: Improving broadband access in rural areas is critical to foster rural-urban integration and promote economic opportunities.

URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265074677_The_Digital_Divide_in_Europe

Original Reference: Perpiña Castillo, C., Kavalov, B., Ribeiro Barranco, R., Diogo, V., Jacobs, C., Batista E Silva, F. et al (2018), Territorial facts and trends in the EU rural areas within 2015–2030, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.

Brief Summary: Provides foresight methods for future regional development. Recommendations: Apply foresight tools in RAPs to anticipate long-term rural-urban trends, ensuring that policies remain flexible and adaptable to future changes in migration, climate, and economic shifts.

URL: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC114016

Original Reference: European Commission (2021a), The urban–rural divide in anti-EU vote, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.

Brief Summary: This report discusses rising regional inequalities and discontent in Europe, focusing on rural-urban divides. RAPs should address inequality by promoting rural access to infrastructure and services. PoliRuralPlus pilots can use these insights to develop integrated policies that reduce rural discontent and improve regional cohesion.

URL: The Geography of Discontent

Original Reference: Barca, F. (2019), ‘Place-based policy and politics’, Renewal, Vol. 27, No. 1.

Brief Summary: Discusses the governance needed to implement place-based policies effectively. Recommendation: PoliRuralPlus should focus on strengthening regional governance models that facilitate integrated, place-based solutions for enhancing rural-urban collaboration, infrastructure, and economic development.

URL: OECD Governance of Place-based Policies

Original Reference: Eurofound (2013), Political trust and civic engagement during the crisis, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.

Brief Summary: This study examines how digitalization affects job quality, particularly in rural areas. RAPs should support digital skills training and job quality improvements in rural regions. PoliRuralPlus pilots can use these insights to ensure rural workers benefit from the digital economy while minimizing the risks of job loss due to automation.

URL: https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/system/files/2018-12/ef18036en.pdf

Original Reference: Uslaner, E. M. (ed.) (2018), The Oxford handbook of social and political trust, Oxford University Press, New York.

Brief Summary: A comprehensive analysis of social and political trust and its implications for governance. Implications for RAP: Building trust among rural and urban stakeholders is crucial for effective policy implementation. Recommendations: RAPs should incorporate strategies to build stakeholder trust and promote inclusive decision-making.

URL: https://search.worldcat.org/title/oxford-handbook-of-social-and-political-trust/oclc/1005117509

Original Reference: The Guardian (2017), ‘The road to somewhere by David Goodhart – A liberal’s rightwing turn on immigration’, 22 March.

Brief Summary: This book discusses the political and social divides between "Somewheres" (rural, place-bound communities) and "Anywheres" (urban, mobile individuals), exploring the rise of populism. Implication: RAPs should address the concerns of rural populations ("Somewheres"), ensuring they feel connected to broader policy decisions and urban centers. This can improve cohesion and reduce rural-urban tensions.

URL: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/mar/22/the-road-to-somewhere-david-goodhart-populist-revolt-future-politics

Original Reference: Goodhart, D. (2017), The road to somewhere: The populist revolt and the future of politics, Oxford University Press, New York.

Brief Summary: Discusses the political divide between urban and rural areas. PoliRuralPlus should consider these insights when formulating RAPs to address rural discontent and ensure balanced political engagement across regions.

URL: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/mar/22/the-road-to-somewhere-david-goodhart-populist-revolt-future-politics

Original Reference: https://urban.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-development/strategies/sat4ter/?lng=en

Brief Summary: SAT4TER is an online tool aimed at assisting territorial authorities in assessing and enhancing their territorial development strategies, focusing on aspects like functional areas, urban-rural linkages, and cross-border cooperation.

URL: https://urban.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-development/strategies/sat4ter/?lng=en

Original Reference: Brenner, N. and Schmid, C. (2015), ‘Towards a new epistemology of the urban?’ City, Vol. 19, Nos. 2–3, pp. 151–182.

Brief Summary: Focuses on rethinking urban spaces and the necessity to redefine urban-rural linkages. It critiques traditional urban-rural divides and proposes new frameworks for understanding these spaces. PoliRuralPlus can incorporate these ideas into its RAPs to foster more fluid, interdependent urban-rural networks.

URL: https://www.soziologie.arch.ethz.ch/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Towards-a-new-epistemology-of-the-urban-1.pdf

Original Reference: McCann, P. (2020), ‘Perceptions of regional inequality and the geography of discontent: Insights from the UK’, Regional Studies, Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 256–267.

Brief Summary: Explores regional inequalities in the UK and suggests policy responses. PoliRuralPlus can draw lessons from these insights to reduce disparities between rural and urban areas through balanced development policies.

URL: https://uk2070.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/01-McCann-UK-Regional-Inequality-Debates.pdf

Original Reference: Eurofound (2023), Unaffordable and inadequate housing in Europe, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.

Brief Summary: This report discusses the housing crisis in Europe, emphasizing issues of affordability and quality. RAPs should focus on improving rural housing conditions, ensuring that affordable and adequate housing is available to rural populations. PoliRuralPlus pilots can incorporate housing improvement strategies to retain rural populations and prevent urban migration.

URL: Unaffordable and inadequate housing in Europe (europa.eu)

Original Reference: World Bank (2017), Growing united: Upgrading Europe’s convergence machine, Washington DC.

Brief Summary: Discusses strategies for improving regional integration and economic convergence in Europe. Recommendations: RAPs should emphasize cross-border and regional collaboration to drive economic growth in both rural and urban areas, focusing on inclusive policies that reduce inequalities.

URL: https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2023/06/21/eca-talk-growing-united-upgrading-europe-convergence-machine

Original Reference: Colomb, C. and Gallent, N. (2022), ‘Post-COVID-19 mobilities and the housing crisis in European urban and rural destinations: Policy challenges and research agenda’, Planning Practice & Research, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 624–641.

Brief Summary: This study explores the role of urban planning in climate adaptation, emphasizing the need for a multidimensional approach to integrate rural and urban regions. Implications: Climate adaptation efforts in urban areas need to be connected with rural areas, particularly in managing resources like water and land. Recommendations: Regional action plans should include coordinated climate adaptation measures that address both rural and urban vulnerabilities, fostering collaborative land-use and water management practices to enhance resilience.

URL: UCL Study on Urban Planning and Adaptation

Original Reference: European Commission (2008), Poverty and exclusion in rural areas, report from the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.

Brief Summary: This working paper examines the future of urban policy in the EU. RAPs should ensure that urban policies are integrated with rural development goals, particularly in peri-urban areas. PoliRuralPlus pilots can adopt strategies that bridge urban-rural divides, improving connectivity and ensuring that rural areas benefit from urban growth.

URL: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/archive/policy/future/pdf/workingpaper_urban_en.pdf

Original Reference: Shucksmith, M., Cameron, S., Merridew, T. and Pichler, F. (2009), ‘Urban–rural differences in quality of life across the European Union, Regional Studies, Vol. 43, No. 10, pp. 1275–1289.

Brief Summary: Discusses urban-rural disparities in income, welfare, and quality of life. Implications: RAPs should address social inequalities between rural and urban regions. Recommendations: Integrate social and economic support policies in rural areas to reduce disparities.

URL: https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/handle/document/20677/ssoar-2009-10-shucksmith_et_al-urban-rural_differences_in_quality_of.pdf?sequence=1

Original Reference: OECD (2017), ‘Future of work and skills’, conference paper, 2nd Meeting of the G20 Employment Working Group, 15–17 February 2017, Hamburg, Germany.

Brief Summary: Explores the role of policy frameworks in supporting rural-urban integration. The paper highlights that cross-border and cross-sectoral collaboration is key to sustainable regional development. PoliRuralPlus should encourage projects that bridge administrative boundaries and foster inter-regional cooperation.

URL: https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=3410524

Original Reference:  Regional Agriculture:A Gozitan PerspectiveJune 2023

Brief Summary: Discusses Gozo's agriculture sector, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation. Implications: Reinforces the importance of tailored approaches for distinct rural needs within Malta, like Gozo's regional focus. Recommendations: Encourage pilot RAPs to consider regional variations in agricultural policy and resource use, enhancing adaptability of PoliRuralPlus methodologies.

URL: https://grda.mt/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Regional-Agriculture-Policy-Discussion-Paper-05.06.23.pdf

Original Reference: Jacoby, W. and Meunier, S. (2010), ‘Europe and globalization’, in Egan, M., Nugent, N. and Paterson, W. E. (eds.), Research agendas in EU studies: Palgrave studies in European Union politics, Palgrave Macmillan, London.

Brief Summary: This book provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms that foster sustainable urban-rural linkages. Implications: Understanding the complexities of urban-rural interactions is crucial for designing integrated policies. Recommendations: RAPs should apply the frameworks discussed in this book to develop holistic policies that address economic, social, and environmental aspects of rural-urban linkages, ensuring balanced and sustainable regional development.

URL: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9780230279445

Original Reference: Westlund, H. (2017), ‘Urban-rural relations in the post-urban world’, in Haas, T. and Westlund, H. (eds.), In the post-urban world, Routledge, London, pp. 70–81.

Brief Summary: Focuses on shifting dynamics in urban-rural relations in the context of globalization and migration. Recommendations: RAPs should include strategies that address rural depopulation and migration patterns, promoting policies that enhance rural attractiveness and connectivity to urban economies.

URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315672168-6/urban-rural-relations-post-urban-world-hans-westlund