Gaining Advantage from Open Borders: An Active Space Approach to Regional Development

This text attempts to design a coherent paradigm of regional development, that is "active space" development. The region is seen as the outcome of a field of forces, in terms of a coherent game of initiatives and responses produced locally and towards the outside world. Openness, creative learning and concern for sustainability are central concepts of the paradigm. The first part of the book comprises a theoretical elaboration of the "active space" approach. The second part covers an exploration of the extent to which and ways in which, advantage is gained for openness in different border regions. The third part discusses various institutional issues and policies, and concludes with reflections on the performance of the paradigm and on emerging research paths.