aDaptation strategies to spatial planning anD regional Development

25 DEMOCHANGE Expert Network
A transnational knowledge base
• Madeleine Koch
• Andreas Koch
University of Salzburg,
Department of Geography
and Geology
Figure 1
Advantages of being an
expert network member
Objective and approach
The Alpine Space region is subject to specific demographic challenges.
This requires specific applications with respect to social, economic and
cultural infrastructures. Establishing regional and transnational network
communities that are inter-connected, allows for the grouping of experts
from many different fields who are thus in turn able to share their experiences
and learn from each other. This expert network provides a unique
opportunity for the spreading of innovative ideas and the discussion of
strengths and weaknesses in any given region (Figure 1). The network
encompasses local knowledge and regional experience regarding demographic
change with the consequential impacts for spatial planning and
regional development.
Figure 2
DEMOCHANGE network
construction & potential
net activities
Strategic level
Management of transnational
network activities
Executive
board
Annual
conference
International
workshops
Papers/news
Summer
School
Annual prizes
Delegation of
2-3 members of each ROC
International Network Activities
How to join the DEMOCHANGE
expert network
The DEMOCHANGE expert network has
been designed as an open network; institutions
and individuals are invited to participate.
Regional organizing committees will be
established in every model region. They
function as a local hotspot and regional
mediator when interconnected to a transnational
DEMOCHANGE expert network
(Figure 2).
Expert Dialogues
In summer 2012 the first DEMOCHANGE Expert Dialogues took place in
Italy, Germany, Austria and Slovenia; all these events were dedicated to
a specific topic (see www.demochange.org). The Expert Dialogues were
organized in order to offer a primary networking opportunity. Participants
focussed on existing pilot actions and specific
and general strategies to deal with
Operational level
Realization of regional activities
Regional
Organizing
Committees
ROC Austria
ROC
Germany
ROC
Switzerland
ROC Italy
ROC
Slovenia
Regional Network Activities
demographic change. This transnational
approach resulted in fruitful discussion.
Joining the network
Send an E-Mail to the coordinator of your
regional organizing committee. Coordinators
are listed at www.demochange.org.
In order to benefit from your expertise,
please describe briefly your professional
background, your reasons for joining the
network and your expectations.