NIERS - Lower Rhine Institute
for Regional and Structural Research

This article takes a critical look at structural politics in the course of lignite phase-out in Germany. The authors compile analyses and research experiences from two different regions and interpret them against the background of the current regional policy mechanisms to compensate for the negative consequences in the affected regions. Based on many years of observation of the structural policy processes and related socioeconomic outcomes, different focal points are set. Calculations of innovation potentials are combined with policy and stakeholder participation analysis to sketch a framework for an interdisciplinary perspective of governing lignite phase-out in Germany. The authors conclude that together with the challenge of just transition resulting from the lignite phase-out region-specific transformation requirements are determining variables for regionally effective structural policy. From this, requirements for action can be derived for national funding policy as well as for the institutional settings and mechanisms of its implementation at regional level in the German federal states.

This article explains the procedure for forming a proportionally stratified random sample for an experimental study design with a test and control group to measure the effects of intervention components. The sampling procedure is explained using the health-related pilot project "Regionales Präventionszentrum im Kreis Viersen" (RPV) funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). The pilot project is part of the "Innovative ways to participate in working life - rehapro" funding programme

This study analyses the image of the German city of Krefeld and the image of the Dutch city of Venlo. The two cities have not only been twinned since 1964 (Krefeld city council n.d.), but also share a location in the German-Dutch border region. Both cities belong to the euregio rhine-maas-north and are around 40 kilometres apart

After explaining the problems that prevail in disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods, this article addresses the question of how the local economy in such neighbourhoods can be successfully strengthened. Every city has neighbourhoods with high unemployment and poverty rates, vacancies and a poor image. These economic and social problems are the result of a loss of function in the neighbourhoods, triggered by social and economic structural change. The neighbourhoods enter a downward spiral. In this article, three selected neighbourhoods in Krefeld, Essen and Wuppertal serve as examples of good practice for strengthening the local economy. In the first project, "Nachbarschaft Samtweberei" in Krefeld, the development of a property is closely linked to social neighbourhood work. The "Triple Z" project in Essen shows the successful development of a start-up and business centre. The final example, "Utopiastadt" in Wuppertal, illustrates the successful implementation of the real-world laboratory approach from transformative research. A comparison of the examples at the end of the article shows the parallels between the success factors and the possibility of transferability to other neighbourhoods.