IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v14y2025i2p250-d1576832.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Development Trajectories of Two Industrial Regions in the EU Due to Different Transformation Paths—The Silesian Voivodeship in Poland and North Rhine–Westphalia in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Iwona Kantor-Pietraga

    (Institute of Social and Economic Geography and Spatial Management, University of Silesia, 60, Będzińska Street, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland)

  • Stefania Koczar-Sikora

    (Institute of Social and Economic Geography and Spatial Management, University of Silesia, 60, Będzińska Street, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland)

Abstract

This article compares the socio-economic development of the two industrial EU regions, the Silesian Voivodeship Poland and the Düsseldorf District in North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany, in the last 20 years of the 21st century. The Ninth Cohesion Report, the EU Regional Competitiveness Index 2.0, and the two concepts of the regional development trap and just transition in the EU were used. It investigated whether the applied EU regional policy, cohesion policy, had the expected effect of strengthening sustainable growth in the regions. This article aims to compare development trajectories, identify development traps and barriers, consider the just transition in the analyzed regions, and provide recommendations for regional policy. Those heavily industrialized regions must respond to the demographic challenges of labor shortages and an aging population. In the case of the Silesia region, the indicated course of action includes labor activation of women and migration management. For both regions, improving productivity is the key. The vital economic challenges include: for the Silesian Voivodeship—strengthening innovation; for the Düsseldorf region—maintaining innovation momentum and increasing resilience. Developing skills that meet industries’ needs is essential. Regarding social cohesion, the Silesia region should focus on equality measures. On the other hand, the Düsseldorf region should strengthen social protection against poverty.

Suggested Citation

  • Iwona Kantor-Pietraga & Stefania Koczar-Sikora, 2025. "Development Trajectories of Two Industrial Regions in the EU Due to Different Transformation Paths—The Silesian Voivodeship in Poland and North Rhine–Westphalia in Germany," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-26, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:250-:d:1576832
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/250/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/250/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Lewis Dijkstra & Hugo Poelman, 2024. "The Geography of EU Discontent and the Regional Development Trap," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 100(3), pages 213-245, May.
    2. Marko Radovan, 2024. "Workplace Flexibility and Participation in Adult Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Tarasova, Ekaterina, 2024. "Multiple just transitions? A study of how a just transition is envisioned in Poland," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    4. BATISTA E SILVA Filipe & DIJKSTRA Lewis & AUTERI Davide & CURTALE Riccardo & DORATI Chiara & HORMIGOS FELIU Clara & JACOBS-CRISIONI Chris & KOMPIL Mert & PERPIÑA CASTILLO Carolina & PIGAIANI Cristian , 2024. "Challenges and opportunities for territorial cohesion in Europe," JRC Research Reports JRC138304, Joint Research Centre.
    5. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Lewis Dijkstra, 2021. "Does Cohesion Policy reduce EU discontent and Euroscepticism?," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(2), pages 354-369, February.
    6. Pedro Chamusca, 2023. "Public Policies for Territorial Cohesion and Sustainability in Europe: An Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-14, April.
    7. Robert J. Gordon, 2015. "Secular Stagnation: A Supply-Side View," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(5), pages 54-59, May.
    8. Żuk, Piotr & Żuk, Paweł & Pluciński, Przemysław, 2021. "Coal basin in Upper Silesia and energy transition in Poland in the context of pandemic: The socio-political diversity of preferences in energy and environmental policy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    9. Ramona Pîrvu & Cristian Drăgan & Gheorghe Axinte & Sorin Dinulescu & Mihaela Lupăncescu & Andra Găină, 2019. "The Impact of the Implementation of Cohesion Policy on the Sustainable Development of EU Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-20, August.
    10. Sung-Tae Lee & Sun-Moon Jung, 2024. "From Equality to Excellence: Exploring the Relationship between Gender Equality HR Policies and R&D Intensity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-12, July.
    11. Schwab, Thoms, 2024. "Quo vadis, Cohesion Policy? European regional development at a crossroads," MPRA Paper 121841, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Alexander Beames & Mariano Kulish & Nadine Yamout, 2022. "Fiscal Policy and the Slowdown in Trend Growth in an Open Economy," Working Papers 143, Red Nacional de Investigadores en Economía (RedNIE).
    2. Naudé, Wim & Nagler, Paula, 2022. "The Ossified Economy: The Case of Germany, 1870-2020," IZA Discussion Papers 15607, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Cai, Michael & Del Negro, Marco & Giannoni, Marc P. & Gupta, Abhi & Li, Pearl & Moszkowski, Erica, 2019. "DSGE forecasts of the lost recovery," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 1770-1789.
    4. William D. Nordhaus, 2021. "Are We Approaching an Economic Singularity? Information Technology and the Future of Economic Growth," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 13(1), pages 299-332, January.
    5. Piotr Zuk & Pawel Zuk, 2022. "Prosumers in Action: The Analysis of Social Determinants of Photovoltaic Development and Prosumer Strategies in Poland," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(4), pages 294-306, July.
    6. Lange, Steffen & Pohl, Johanna & Santarius, Tilman, 2020. "Digitalization and energy consumption. Does ICT reduce energy demand?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    7. Allen Head & Huw Lloyd‐Ellis, 2016. "Has Canadian house price growth been excessive?," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 49(4), pages 1367-1400, November.
    8. Venturini, Francesco, 2022. "Intelligent technologies and productivity spillovers: Evidence from the Fourth Industrial Revolution," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 220-243.
    9. Chen Lian & Yueran Ma & Carmen Wang, 2019. "Low Interest Rates and Risk-Taking: Evidence from Individual Investment Decisions," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 32(6), pages 2107-2148.
    10. Jean-Luc Gaffard, 2022. "Instabilité et résilience des économies de marché: Essai sur l'économie du libéralisme social," GREDEG Working Papers 2022-33, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France.
    11. Federico Barbiellini Amidei & Matteo Gomellini & Paolo Piselli, 2018. "The contribution of demography to Italy's economic growth: a two-hundred-year-long story," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 431, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    12. Botta, Alberto & Tippet, Ben, 2020. "The roots of a divided eurozone: rigid labour markets or asymmetric technology-macroeconomic regimes?," Greenwich Papers in Political Economy 30958, University of Greenwich, Greenwich Political Economy Research Centre.
    13. AFAWUBO, Komivi & NOGLO, Yawo Agbényégan, 2022. "ICT and entrepreneurship: A comparative analysis of developing, emerging and developed countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    14. Mathilde Esposito, 2024. "Workforce Aging and Potential Output Growth," AMSE Working Papers 2425, Aix-Marseille School of Economics, France.
    15. Lee, R., 2016. "Macroeconomics, Aging, and Growth," Handbook of the Economics of Population Aging, in: Piggott, John & Woodland, Alan (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Population Aging, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 0, pages 59-118, Elsevier.
    16. Sumru Altug & Cem Cakmakli & Fabrice Collard & Sujoy Mukerji & Han Ozsoylev, 2020. "Ambiguous Business Cycles: A Quantitative Assessment," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 38, pages 220-237, October.
    17. Philippe Andrade & Jordi Gali & Herve Le Bihan & Julien Matheron, 2019. "The Optimal Inflation Target and the Natural Rate of Interest," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 50(2 (Fall)), pages 173-255.
    18. Jacopo Bonchi & Giacomo Caracciolo, 2021. "Declining natural interest rate in the US: the pension system matters," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1317, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    19. Jacopo Bonchi & Francesco Simone Lucidi, 2020. "How Low Interest Rates Discern the Bubbles Nature: Leveraged vs Unleveraged Bubble," Working Papers 12/20, Sapienza University of Rome, DISS.
    20. D. I. Philippov, 2018. "Financial Innovation And Digital Transformation Of The Business Environment," International Trade and Trade Policy, ФГБОУ ВО "Ð Ð¾Ñ Ñ Ð¸Ð¹Ñ ÐºÐ¸Ð¹ Ñ ÐºÐ¾Ð½Ð¾Ð¼Ð¸Ñ‡ÐµÑ ÐºÐ¸Ð¹ ÑƒÐ½Ð¸Ð²ÐµÑ€Ñ Ð¸Ñ‚ÐµÑ‚ им. Г.Ð’. Плеханова", issue 3.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:250-:d:1576832. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.