Framing Regional Development: A reflection on the use of language in regional development – examples from Austria

Author(s)
Martin Heintel, Alice Wanner
Abstract

Examining the narrative of rural development, this paper investigates to what extent stories, language or images form consolidated images of a region and how these assist or inhibit regional development internally and externally. Thematically, the discussion incorporates questions of regional development concerning the security of livelihood, discrepancies in living conditions, demographic shifts, outward migration, and condition of infrastructure. The backdrop of this study predominantly consists of case studies in Austrian LEADER regions which were supported through the current structural fund period. The aim was to examine “felt disadvantage” in peripheral rural regions. Upon reflection, this was contextualized to framing. In accordance with (anticipated) regional development the future questions to be answered are to what extent „Deep Frames“ (e.g. “Our situation is bad!”) are doubly counterproductive in regard to both development capacity of a region and also negotiation tools when working with external partners (e.g. fiscal equalization negotiations with state and nation) who are growing to question the subjective interior portrayal more and more.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geography and Regional Research
Journal
Central European Journal of Geography and Sustainable Development
Volume
6
Pages
71-83
ISSN
2668-4322
DOI
https://doi.org/10.47246/CEJGSD.2024.6.1.4
Publication date
2024
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
507014 Regional development, 507015 Regional research, 507013 Regional geography
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/08842edb-e050-43a7-8069-3c915cd5d6c0