the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
| 04 May 2026
Regional development in the context of major infrastructure projects: participatory processes, governance challenges, and patterns for success
Abstract. This article addresses questions of institutional anchoring, coordination and participatory approaches with a comparative, case-based examination of regional development practices in selected large-scale infrastructure projects. It draws on four case studies – the expansion of Frankfurt Airport, the decommissioning of the Asse II mine in Germany, the Swiss sectoral plan procedure for deep geological repositories, and the Swedish repository siting process – as exemplary constellations of how regional development is institutionally and procedurally designed in practice. The case studies are used to abstract typical instruments, actor constellations, and modes of interaction between formal planning, participation, and informal regional development approaches. Based on a cross-case synthesis, the article identifies recurring challenges and patterns of success.
- Preprint
(712 KB) - Metadata XML
- BibTeX
- EndNote
Status: open (until 02 Jul 2026)
- RC1: 'Comment on sand-2026-8', Olaf Kühne, 11 May 2026 reply
Viewed
| HTML | XML | Total | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 10 | 7 | 37 | 5 | 3 |
- HTML: 20
- PDF: 10
- XML: 7
- Total: 37
- BibTeX: 5
- EndNote: 3
Viewed (geographical distribution)
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
The manuscript addresses a relevant topic. I consider the approach to this topic, which utilizes various concepts of region, to be innovative and instructive. The connection to the topic of procedural justice appears substantial. The case studies are characterized by a wealth of material.
In addition to these positive aspects, however, the manuscript should be revised in several respects prior to publication:
· Given that it includes only four case studies, the manuscript cannot live up to the claim of “patterns for success.”
· The logic of comparison among the four cases should be clarified.
· It would be advisable to link the hypotheses more systematically to the case findings.
· Participation should not only be considered as a resource for acceptance or development, but also as a conflict-laden democratic practice. Such a framing would give the article greater depth.
· Furthermore, it should be made clearer which statements apply specifically to final repository processes and which apply more generally to large infrastructure projects.
With these adjustments, I believe the manuscript is ready for publication.