Published 10 Nov, 2017
Inclusiveness – a key concept for the TEN-T Core Network Corridor implementation
To investigate stakeholders’ awareness of the TEN-T core network corridors (CNC), expectations and interests of involvement in the CNC implementation process, and expected benefits of the CNC in the context of economic, ecological and social sustainable development, 23 persons across the Baltic Sea region were interviewed. They were affiliated to public authorities (local/regional authority, national transport agency), transport administrative companies or organizations (port, railway, airport, road management and public transport), private companies (cargo owner company, shipping company, transport undertaker), and other organizations (business development organization, cross-border political network, regional network for improved infrastructure, research organization, organization for regional development).
The results of the interviews indicate a diverse awareness among stakeholders, depending on current involvement in the CNC implementation process, projects etc. Increased information activities supporting TEN-T are suggested to raise general awareness, but also directed information, in particular to business representatives, to inform about possibilities with the CNC. Dissemination of best practice experiences can be used in this process.
Stakeholders perceive both, benefits and drawbacks with the CNC, relating to economic, ecological and social dimensions of sustainable development. An enhanced social cohesion and economic development is expected with improved transport infrastructure and services in the CNC, although there are perceived risks of the geographical areas surrounding the CNC lagging behind, thus leading to an uneven distribution of benefits. Conditions for environmentally friendly transport modes for long-distances, i.e. rail and sea transports, is expected to be strengthened in these major corridors, for instance through harmonization. This is recognized for rail transport, but sea transport is by some interviewees perceived to be less prioritized.
The results indicate a need for enhanced coordination, between nations, between stakeholders at national, regional, and local levels of governance, for intermodality, for connections between long-distance and urban traffic, for connections between surrounding areas and the CNC, and for communication with other sectors in society. Need of an extended inclusiveness in the process is indicated. Users, particularly business stakeholders, and regional and local stakeholders, in the corridor area, but also in the surrounding areas are identified as important stakeholders to involve in the further process. Existing structures for working with European transport, such as the formalised structure for CNC implementation, diverse collaborative forums or projects, could be better used/expanded for this purpose, or new governance measures could be introduced.
The interviewees contributed several ideas for additional governance measures. They included arrangements to involve business stakeholders in a parallel structure to the current Corridor forums - or included in the formal structure, a platform for exchange of information to support intermodal transport, hearings to involve users, national groupings to include a broader range of stakeholders, conferences to coordinate regional and local stakeholders activities, transnational arrangements for a focused harmonization, and other measures to improve processual aspects.
These ideas for additional governance measures suggested by the interviewees provide a starting point for stakeholder discussions, and for further assessment of the feasibility of these ideas. Providing arenas where integration of the economic, ecological and social dimensions of the concept can be discussed support a common knowledge base for desired outcomes.
Download the full interview studay in the section “Downloads”.
More information:
Maria Öberg
Luleå University of Technology
E-Mail: maria.o.oberg@ltu.se