Modelling sustainable regional development in the European information society

• Forschungsstelle: EU FRP
• Projektnummer: 97.0396
• Projekttitel Englisch: Modelling sustainable regional development in the European information society

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

ISIS model; sustainable regional development; cross catalytical networks

Alternative Projektnummern (Englisch)

EU project number: ENV4-CT97-0461

Forschungsprogramme (Englisch)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 3.1 Environment

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

See abstract

Partner und Internationale Organisationen (Englisch)

Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig (D), University of Birmingham, School of Public Policy, Centre of Urban and Regional Studies, (UK), Austrian Academy of Science, Institute for Urban and Regional Research,Vienna (A), Unidad de Economia y Sociologia Agrarias; Servicio de Investigacion Agroalimentaria, Zaragoza (E), Israel Institute of Technology (TECHNION), Faculty of Architecture / Faculty of Engineering, (IL)

Abstract (Englisch)

The overall objective of the MOSES-project was to develop policies which support the transition into an ecologically and socially sustainable European information society. This was pursued with three approaches: model building, case studies and development of policies.
Model-building: One major result was the dynamic ISIS-model (Information Society Integrated Systems Model). ISIS evaluates management strategies for the information society, for the development of people, economy and environment. The ISIS-model was build with the background of six very different regions in Europe and Israel. Therefore it can adapt to a wide range of regions. ISIS links the most relevant social, ecological and economic aspects for the task of sustainability and evaluates their interdependencies within a region.
Case studies: Sustainable regional development needs a holistic base and an understanding of the interactions between the regional population, the economy, and the environment. This understanding is provided by a framework for orientation which came out of the project. An appreciation of the rate and type of change and the effect of policies comes from application of the dynamic model. The theory is based on case studies on six regions in Europe and Israel, their population and problems. All regions change - although to a very different degree - due to the information society. Economy and jobs changing; new lifestyles emerge. People feel uncomfortable, are somewhat hopeful but lack orientation. Anxiety is widespread. In general, people and companies where highly interested in our approach and results.
Policy development: One result of the MOSES project was the elaboration of a set of about 25 key issues for regional development in the information society. Key issues are those which determine the evolutionary future of a region. This set of key issues is based on an understanding of mutual dependencies between the social area, environmental issues, know-how, psychological issues, financial and administrative aspects. Regional strength and weaknesses can be evaluated with this set and with the ISIS-model to see where and how to influence regional developments in the most desirable way and how to overcome bottlenecks in sustainable regional development.
One focal point of the project was to comprehend cultural roots of successful developments. Successful development at present requires willingness for radical change. The questionaires of the MOSES-project ask for social and psychological components of the readiness for change, to support it, embrace it and nourish it.
There was an agreement between all partners in the project that the MOSES-project has been successful and that we should elaborate follow-up projects. Application of results of the integrated MOSES-approach to regional and urban development seems highly promising for an environmentally favourable future. Results contribute to an advanced common strategy for regional sustainable development and refine Local Agenda 21 in a European context.

Datenbankreferenzen (Englisch)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 97.0396