RESEARCH - FOR ECOVASTASSET PROJECT

Seminar “European Small Towns”Fachhochschule, Potsdam

16 November 2010

RESEARCH BY QUESTIONNAIRE – AN INPUT TO THE ASSET PROJECT

Pam Moore, B.A. (Hons) Secretary General ECOVAST

INTRODUCTION

As part of the ECOVAST project, ASSET (Action to Strengthen Small European Towns), research has been undertaken over a period of four years into the small towns of Europe, their characteristics and they challenges they face. This has principally been by questionnaire, and in the first phase of research, more than twenty responses were obtained from across Europe. A second questionnaire, in 2009, considered the impact of the economic downturn. Now a third phase of this work is envisaged.

RETZ, LOWER AUSTRIA

FIRST QUESTIONNAIRE Information sought about –

•Governmental structure of country•Definition of a “small town” (population) & whether this includes its hinterland•Specific issues of concern to small towns•What support is received, from whom & whether larger towns get preferential treatment•Examples of “good practice”, research and case studies•Amount of interaction between town and hinterland•Any relevant websites

WITTSTOCK, GERMANY

RESULTS OF PHASE 1 RESEARCH

The results of the work offered considerable insights, but also posed many diverse questions, not least the issue surrounding the definition of small towns. Other speakers will say more about this – for example, Valerie Carter has produced very useful work about population statistics.

At present, I cling to the definition offered by a speaker at an event in Jyväsklä, Finland in 2006 :

“If you think you are a small

town you probably are”

SECOND QUESTIONNAIRE

Although Phase 1 had offered the outline of a picture of small European towns and the challenges they face, early in 2009 it became apparent that it would be useful to seek further information specifically on the impact which the economic downturn is having on these vital hubs. A new questionnaire was devised, and circulated to eighteen contacts in the Spring of that year.

Some of these were the same people who had completed the earlier questionnaire, but for some states more appropriate contacts have since been made.

TØNDER, DENMARK

FINDINGS – SECOND PHASE

Responses were received from fourteen states –

Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia and Sweden.

England was not included, because the Commission for Rural Communities (England) had done similar research and could provide us with the information. We have worked closely with them.

SECOND PHASE ANALYSIS

The information provided by respondents has given a valuable insight into the impact which the economic downturn is having across Europe.

I have been fortunate in obtaining data from a geographically well spread range of states, in north, south, east and west Europe, and a mix of “old” and “new” EU members, as well as a pre-accession state.

GRIESKIRCHEN, UPPER AUSTRIA

SECOND QUESTIONNAIRE CONTENT

• Some of the topics included were similar to those in the first phase, but presented in a more focused way to address recent problems

• In addition to the obvious questions about the degree to which small towns in a country have suffered in the financial turmoil, specific areas have been targeted, including effects on population levels, facilities, employment, housing, heritage and the impact of “out of town” development. It was also decided to include some additional questions about other possible concerns, such as impact on landscapes around the towns, and relations with hinterland settlements.

INITIAL CONCLUSIONS

It has been possible to draw some initial conclusions, although I plan to follow up the work by returning to my contacts for an update.

No country has escaped the impact of the recession, but it is evident that its effects have been far more pronounced in some states. For example, Denmark and Poland appear, so far, to have escaped the worse effects of the recession, whereas Hungary, Croatia and Ireland have been hit hard.

I will highlight some of the factors which appear to

influence this.

SAMOBOR, CROATIA

POPULATION & LOSS OF FACILITIES

All respondents report out migration from their small towns, especially of young people. Much of this is to urban areas or to pursue higher education, but few return, and this is threatening the demographic balance of many towns.Almost all of the states face loss of facilities in small towns, with a particular area of loss being in the retail sector. For some, this is due to small businesses being unable to compete with larger stores in urban centres, but a major concern is related to “out of town” shopping, with two thirds of respondents citing this issue, which they feel is tearing the heart from smaller towns.

DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM DECLINE

• It might be expected that the recession would have stalled the growth of “out of town” development, but the evidence so far suggests this slowdown has not been marked. Indeed, more “in town” building has been affected, with half completed sites a perceived problem as well as empty premises.

• It is noticeable that countries reliant on tourism are suffering severely. Malta and Croatia both give the decline in this industry as a major concern, with loss of employment and facilities resulting.

VENTNOR, ISLE OF WIGHT ENGLAND

THE THREAT TO HERITAGE Fewer tourists to a centre result in heritage threats,

with historic buildings running the risk of becoming disused, and fewer being sold or let, in a stagnant property market.

Of the replies analysed, three quarters are

concerned about the impact to heritage of the recession, with other problems including lack of maintenance due to funding constraints on historic structures leading to decay and authorities reducing financial input (because of changed priorities) and their employment of experts.

EMPLOYMENT

• Most respondents commented on loss of jobs – both by the closure of concerns, or reductions in their workforces.

• The Polish response, however, highlighted a problem not so far encountered elsewhere – the impact of OTHER countries’ problems – in this instance, the loss of jobs by factory closures, caused by the economic woes of Germany, where the parent companies are based.

HOUSING

The information obtained on housing confirms that all states face some degree of difficulty, but the extent varies. Most cite a shortage of finance available, but only two have already seen a significant number of house repossessions.

A particular problem in Ireland is “over supply” – a housing boom just before the downturn leaving many properties partly completed, or finished, but empty.

This was seen at first hand this summer – in West Cork, considerable numbers of new properties for which it was evident developers were desperately seeking buyers.

OTHER ISSUES

Half of the questionnaires return expressed concern about increased pressures on the hinterland and landscapes around small towns. Most said that there was increased co-operation between small towns and hinterland settlements recently.

However, the adverse effects on the landscape around small towns from development was an issue. This could be from industrial sources, new housing, agricultural change (a notable concern for Italy and Portugal) or out of town development.

Interestingly, only one respondent (Hungary) agreed that climate change was a concern to them.

TAORMINA, SICILY

FINAL POINTS COVERED

• As well as the data already mentioned, the second questionnaire sought to establish whether small towns in the relevant state were receiving much support during the downturn. About half replied in the affirmative, with some national or regional Government help, and others citing EU funds, such as LEADER.

• Finally, there were questions about any reports or research which is being undertaken on small towns within countries, and this has provided some useful pointers to further information.

PROPOSED PHASE THREE

It is now proposed to embark on a “Phase 3” , a new questionnaire, which will try to obtain more “in depth” information on governance, the degree to which small towns get involved in community led planning, and specifically, the role of local businesses.

Europe’s small towns have a vital role to play as “hubs”, and information about their organisation and the degree of support they receive from such bodies as local Councils, Chambers of Commerce, and where applicable, Mayors, will be valuable for our knowledge base.

OTHER NEXT STEPS

As well as Phase Three, which will commence early in 2011, other work will focus on:

-Seeking updated information on the impact of the economic downturn-Following up sources already identified, such as research being undertaken elsewhere, and examples of “good practice”-More analysis of data, and the production of statistics and diagrams to enhance this

DUNMANWAY, CO CORK, IRELAND

Thank you for your attention !

Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit !

If you would like to be involved further, please contact me at :

pam. moore59@ntlworld.com