Theconcept of rural proofing, identified by the Government in its Rural WhitePaper, involves identifying whether new or existing policies will havedifferential impacts in rural areas and considering adjustments orcompensations to address these. The article examines how local authorities canput rural proofing into practice at the local level. Based on researchundertaken for the Countryside Agency, it considers how local authority policyand decision making processes can lend themselves to rural proofing andmitigate differential impacts in rural areas. A localised rural proofingchecklist is drawn up and a range of issues associated with implementing such amechanism are debated. Conclusions are drawn as to how local authorities cantake rural proofing forward.

Metodutvecklingen av landskapsresursanalys (LRA) ingick som en del i det större Interregprojektet ”Innovation för grön omställning i skogen” (Ingoskog). Ingoskog har som övergripande syfte att med forskare från en mängd olika discipliner i Norge och Sverige och i samverkan med skogliga aktörer undersöka innovativa möjligheter för en grön omställning med skogen som resurs. För att åstadkomma en grön omställning pekas ofta skogen ut som en resurs, både för olika produkter som kan komma ur biomassan men även som en resurs för rekreation, naturbaserad turism och biologisk mångfald. Skogen har många värden. En del går att direkt mäta i pengar, andra är svårare att sätta en prislapp på, som hur människor mår bra av att promenera i skogen och njuta av naturen. I en grön omställning ökar konkurrensen om skogen som resurs och LRA är ett sätt att identifiera skogens alla värden, sätta dem (bokstavligen) på kartan på ett sätt som illustrerar eventuella intressekonflikter, och underlätta kommunikation med förhoppning om att bidra med beslutsunderlag i olika planeringsprocesser.Syftet med processen i norra Klarälvdalen var att undersöka om en version av LRA kan lämpa sig för att identifiera och kommunicera olika värden som kan tillskrivas skogen i ett område. I följande text beskrivs och diskuteras LRA-processen. Avslutningsvis redogörs för lärdomar av arbetet.

This paper explores the development of film tourism in Skåne, the southernmost region of Sweden. The point of departure is the research framework developed within the ongoing 6^th Framework project EURODITE highlighting knowledge dynamics at regional and firm levels.

On the conceptual level, the research framework includes two integrated knowledge dynamics; territorial knowledge dynamics and firm level knowledge dynamics. The territorial knowledge dynamics concern knowledge exchange, networks and interactions between different actors from a spatial perspective. Key actors may include firms, higher education institutions, chambers of commerce and regional authorities. The spatial focus stresses the importance of the regional level at the same time as it emphasises that interaction is not constrained to an administrative regional level. On the contrary, territorial knowledge dynamics are seen as multi-scalar that may include important interactions at great distances. Understanding the territorial knowledge dynamics demands probing issues such as the role of proximity and distance in terms of knowledge interactions, and the importance of mobility of different actors and individuals. Special attention is paid to how various types of policies affect the knowledge dynamics. These policies may stem from supranational, national, regional or local level, but it is the way that the policies are played out at the regional level that is in focus.

The firm level knowledge dynamics concern how knowledge is developed and transferred at a micro level; within a firm or an organisation, or within a network of firms or organisations. The research framework uses a knowledge biography approach in investigating these knowledge dynamics starting from a change in product, process or organisation. The empirical research is carried out through case studies using narrative interviews. Key events of knowledge interaction are identified in an attempt to understand the processes and the role of different actors aiming at ‘telling the story’ of the change from idea to implementation. There are links between the firm level knowledge dynamics and the territorial knowledge dynamics, e.g. through interaction between different actors.

The empirical study presented in the paper deals with the development of film tourism in Skåne. This type of tourism has expanded in the last decade, mainly triggered by the influx of tourists to the small town of Ystad, which is the base for Henning Mankell’s books about Inspector Wallander. The first book was published in 1991, and they have since been translated to over 35 languages and become international bestsellers. The books generated tourists, particularly from Germany, that visited Ystad to walk Wallander’s streets. In 2004, 13 Wallander films were shot in and around Ystad. The release of these films triggered an influx of film tourists that wanted to visit the studios, Wallander’s office in the police station, his flat and so on. These new demands triggered the local authorities to develop more than the Wallander maps that had been produced in response to the literature tourists. In the summer 2006 a project started Cineteket, an attraction focusing on films produced in Ystad and including guided tours of the studios.

Due to the high profile of the Wallander films, that also include a BBC production with Kenneth Branagh in 2008 and a series of 13 new Wallander films 2008-2009, it is easy to interpret film production in Skåne as a recent phenomenon. However, this is not the case. The first Swedish feature films were, in fact, shot in a studio in another Skåne town, Kristianstad, some 80 kilometres north of Ystad. This studio is now a Film Museum with an additional permanent exhibition about Skåne in Swedish films in the regional museum in Kristianstad. A third film related heritage in the region is the Hasse & Tage Museum in Tomelilla, a small town 15 kilometres north of Ystad. The duo Hasse Alfredsson and Tage Danielsson were very versatile artists that produced shows, radio and films during the 1960s-1980s. Many of these films were shot in and around Tomelilla. The Hasse & Tage Museum opened in 2006. It is a unique museum of only 15m² that only fits eight visitors at a time. The three film attractions, Cineteket in Ystad, the Film Museum in Kristianstad and the Hasse & Tage Museum in Tomelilla have now started collaborating within the concept of ‘the Film Track’.

The paper discusses and analyses the growing film tourism and the development of the Film Track, using the conceptual framework of territorial and firm level knowledge dynamics.

Knowledge dynamics and green growth – climate change adaptation needs as innovation drivers in the Lake Vänern region 

How can Europe deliver a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth? The tall order of green growth forms the EU’s overarching strategy for economic development, Europe 2020, for the 21^st Century. (EC, 2010) But what is green growth? How can it be achieved? How can the dual great global challenges of climate change and economic development (OECD, 2011) be addressed at the same time? Taking on this challenge calls for innovative, multi- and transdisciplinary approaches to research, and development of new concepts and methods are needed. The research should involve different actors to safe guard relevance for policy and practice in addition to development of new knowledge. (Carillo-Hermosilla et al. 2009, 2010) This paper reports from a budding project that builds on existing research and expertise within the research team in two broad fields; climate change adaptation and knowledge dynamics and innovation. By further development and interconnection of these fields, new knowledge of relevance to the worlds of science, policy and practice will be produced.

The research puts the interconnections between climate change adaptation and green growth at the core of the project. This is done through three linked work packages: 1) climate change adaptation and scenarios that identify needs for such adaptations, 2) green growth, particularly in relation to knowledge dynamics and (eco)-innovation processes, and 3) multi- and transdisciplinary research methods, which are the fundamental approach for the entire project. The overall research question is: How can climate change adaptation needs act as innovation drivers and contribute to green growth?

The research follows a multi- and transdisciplinary approach, combining different methodologies of scenario development and living lab processes. The LakeVänern region is the empirical focus and serves as living lab environment. The focus for the scenarios will be climate change effects on water. The scenarios will produce qualitative and quantitative information on possible climate change effects on water-related issues e.g. floods, fishing or tourism. Scenario techniques are used to integrate narrative information (storylines) provided by a wide range of stakeholders in the region. The scenarios provide input about how climate change adaptation and green growth in living lab-inspired processes interact, exploring (eco)-innovation opportunities across a wide range of actors in the region. Against this background potential innovation for green growth for the LakeVänern region will be identified.

One aim with the project is to develop living-lab-inspired methods on knowledge dynamics in relation to issues of green growth, (eco-) innovation and sustainable development in the Lake Vänern region. A living lab is a user-centred research concept - often operating within a territorial context (e.g. city, agglomeration or region), systematically integrating both research and innovation processes simultaneously. (Eriksson et al., 2005, Schumacher & Feurstein, 2006, Marsh, 2008) Budweg et al., 2011).The living lab approach is being used world-wide, for example in a European network of living labs (www.openlivinglabs.eu) and by the Swedish Government Agency for Innovation Systems (www.vinnova.se).

The paper explores knowledge dynamics and green growth with an empirical focus on the Lake Vänern Region in western Sweden. Lake Vänern is the largest lake within the EU and with its surrounding area provides a multifaceted region where many of the green economy challenges and opportunities are present. The lake has a unique fauna and flora and is the fresh water source for the 300 000 inhabitants in the region. It is also Sweden’s largest hydroelectric power dam and is used for transportation, commercial fishing and recreational purposes for the local population as well as for the tourism industry. With regards to local planning, the lake provides an attractive setting for waterside developments. Lake Vänern administratively affects thirteen local, two regional and two national authorities, in addition to regulations at EU levels that are affecting the lake and its surroundings. Through the many competing demands on the resource of Lake Vänern, the region provides a valuable case to study knowledge dynamics in a green economy.

This paper explores knowledge dynamics processes applied on an initiative aiming to develop an innovation system for a bio based economy.

Demands for conversions into ecological sustainable production calls for the development of new knowledge. Knowledge from diverse disciplines have to come together to develop new knowledge needed for solving problems to advance a green economy. Radical, rather than incremental innovations of products, services and processes are required. The development of new knowledge takes place in complex relationships between different types of actors located in diverse places. Actors include SMEs, transnational firms, universities, research institutions and public agencies. Knowledge interactions across sectors, scales and actors can be called knowledge dynamics.

This paper deals with the initiative ‘Paper province 2.0 – an innovation system for a bio based economy’. It builds on extensive triple helix networks centred in the cluster organisation ‘The Paper Province’ incorporating pulp- and paper technology firms, KIBS and other actors in Värmland and neighbouring areas in Sweden. The networks of the cluster are as complex as the relations described above.

The initiative has won support from Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems to work up an application to the Vinnväxt programme. Successful initiatives win funding for 10 years to through radical initiatives develop strong, internationally competitive innovation systems within strategic areas of importance for sustainable regional development.

In what ways are knowledge interactions across sectors, scales and actors present and have capacity to contribute to the green economy through developing an innovation system for a bio based economy?

Knowledge dynamics in a green economy

This paper aims to develop the understanding of knowledge dynamics processes developed in the European research project ‘Regional trajectories to the knowledge economy’ (EURODITE) applied on knowledge dynamics processes in a green economy.

Demands for conversions into ecological sustainable production of goods and services calls for the generation and processing of new knowledge. To address the challenges of an ecological sustainable production, the furthering of knowledge within single scientific disciplines is not sufficient for driving innovations to tackle these challenges. On the contrary, different types of knowledge such as analytic, synthetic and symbolic, as well as knowledge from diverse disciplines have to come together to develop new knowledge needed for solving problems to advance a green economy. Hence, the generation and development of new knowledge takes place in complex relationships between different types of actors located in different places. Actors involved in knowledge generation and development range from micro businesses to transnational firms, higher education and research institutions and public actors and agencies of different kinds. Increasingly, also users and consumers are identified as playing important roles with regards to knowledge dynamics. Knowledge interactions across sectors, scales and actors can be called knowledge dynamics. An important aspect of knowledge dynamics is that changes in knowledge are driving innovation. In addition, policy actors can play a role in taking action to promote and support knowledge dynamic processes and remove obstacles obstructing such processes.

The paper explores knowledge dynamics in a green economy with an empirical focus on Lake Vänern in western Sweden. Lake Vänern is the largest lake within the EU and with its surrounding area provides a multifaceted region where many of the green economy challenges and opportunities are present. The lake has a unique fauna and flora and is the fresh water source for the 300 000 inhabitants in the region. It is also Sweden’s largest hydroelectric power dam and is used for transportation, commercial fishing and recreational purposes for the local population as well as for the tourism industry. With regards to local planning, the lake provides an attractive setting for waterside developments. Lake Vänern administratively affects thirteen local and two regional authorities, in addition to regulations at national and EU levels that are affecting the lake and its surroundings. Through the many competing demands on the resource of Lake Vänern, the region provides a valuable case to study knowledge dynamics in a green economy.

Today’s societies face significant ecological and societal challenges, including climate change. Inthis context, forests can be a useful resource for new innovations and products which can leadto job opportunities, economic development in new sectors and greater sustainability. However,increased out-take of biomass also increase pressure on forest resources, ecosystems andbiodiversity. Conflicting interests increase between production and conservation of forests forrecreation, tourism and health. There is also a rural-urban imbalance with regards to the ruralforest resources. Many decisions regarding the use of the forests are made by decisionmakerseither in political bodies or companies located in urban areas often at considerable distancefrom the actual forests. Thus, there is a call for collaborative processes to identify and integrate arange of perspectives, interests and values in forests. This paper reports back from a project“Innovation for green transition in the forest” (www.ingoskog.org) where a collaborativeprocess for place-based development, landscape resource analysis (LRA), was used to addressthe social aspects of landscapes and to account for both material and immaterial values in theforest. LRA focuses on including stakeholders and local interests and knowledge. This methodwas applied to a small area, Norra Klarälvsdalen, in Värmland, Sweden where a workshopincluding 16 stakeholders resulted in the marking of subjective values on analogues maps. Thesemaps were digitized and together with data from geographical information systems (GIS) andArcGIS were used to visualize both material and immaterial values. Conflicting areas wereidentified and were discussed in a second workshop. This adapted LRA demonstrated thepotential to contribute local knowledge and thus add qualitative data to forest planning anddecision-making. It can also be used to address a wide range of stakeholder interests, including  95 | P a g eboth material and immaterial forest values, and is designed to capture cultural ecosystemservices that are often difficult to put a price on.

It is increasingly difficult for firms and other actors to access all necessary knowledge for innovation within their ‘home’ region. This is the case for all types of firms and regions. Large firms with their own research and development units as well as small firms need to access extra-regional knowledge to continue to innovate. Regardless of in which type of a region that a firm is located, firms are depending on knowledge interactions crossing the regional boundaries. This relates just as well to regions with large populations and strong economies as to less populated regions. Public policies can play a role with regards to the ability for firms to be able to link into global knowledge flows. However, regional development agencies have to act in a challenging and changing context to support and promote economic development in the knowledge economy.

The paper is based on two linked international research projects[1] dealing with knowledge generation, use and circulation in European regions. Seven main sectors are included: tourism; food and drink; biotechnology; new media; automotive; ICT and knowledge intensive business services (KIBS). Empirical case studies in 29 regions have been carried out, and include investigations into how policy actors and public funds at local, regional, national and European levels are utilised for supporting knowledge interactions.

The mainly qualitative empirical research and the theoretical discussions in these projects have unravelled the complexity of knowledge interactions between different types of actors. The case studies have revealed very complex patterns of knowledge interactions between different types of actors (firms, organisations, higher education institutions and policy actors) both within the ‘home’ regions of firms and across regional and national borders. It is also clear that the policy options and policy funding alternatives are manifold and complex that include local, regional, national and international funding and programmes.

The research has shown that RDAs and other policy actors target knowledge generation and transfers in a variety of ways. Partnerships, networks and governance structures are some key words in descriptions of policies in this regard. Since knowledge interactions involve many actors locally, regionally, nationally and internationally the context for these policies is increasingly complex and difficult to master. The multi-actor and multi-scalar characters of the knowledge economy in which the RDAs act are the focus of this paper.

[1] The two projects are the 6^th framework project ’Regional Trajectories to the Knowledge Economy [EURODITE]’ (2005-2010) and its sister project ‘Regional Trajectories to the Knowledge Economy – Nordic-European Comparisons [REKENE]’ part-funded by Nordic Innovation Center (2007-2010)

This article deals with the production and regional development of child care services in Sweden. The production of social services outside the home is discussed in relation to labour market needs and equal opportunities. Staffing, organisation and extension of child care services, as well as restructuring trends are dealt with. The services studied are characterised by local solutions. Reasons for local variations are discussed with special references to labour market factors, political tradition and level of urbanisation. No single factor can explain the variations. Explanations have to be found in the specific local mix of factors.

The terms urban and rural are commonly used in an oppositional or compartmentalised fashion. Policies promoting regional development have similarly been developed by urban or rural authorities and agencies with little cross referencing. This paper argues that compartmentalisation is not always the best mechanism and that there are benefits to be gained by taking an integrated urban-rural approach focusing on commonalities, complementarities  and links rather than differences. Literature and policy documents at the European Union, national and regional levels are increasingly stressing interdependencies placing a new emphasis on functional regions and sub-regions rather than dichotomised town and country.

This paper presents the results of research into joint working between urban and rural local authorities in Britain. Local authorities, together with other public and private partners, have increasingly engaged in cross-boundary collaboration to address issues relating to sustainable regional development in the widest sense. The paper reports primary research in the United Kingdom into the scale and scope of such collaboration. In terms of scale, it is clear that joint working between urban and rural partners is increasingly common. This way of working has been promoted and supported by national agencies such as the Local Government Association and the Countryside Agency. With regards to scale, there is a very wide range of projects where urban-rural collaboration is used to address issues ranging from transport planning, sustainability and environment issues, via economic development, tourism and job creation to social exclusion, health and youth issues. Projects also range in size from just a few partners to over 30; from very small budgets to budgets well over £35 million; and from short term projects to long term initiatives of up to seven years plans and earmarked funding.

Alongside a literature review, the research is based on a national postal questionnaire survey and telephone interviews with key informants in selected case studies. It reports the experiences of partners and benefits and challenges of urban-rural joint working. The paper also discusses urban-rural joint working in the light of the European spatial policy agenda, particularly in relation to the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP), the European Spatial Observatory Network (ESPON) and the Study Programme on European Spatial Planning (SPESP) and European funding programmes such as Interreg. Does the European agenda, and funding opportunities, inspire and facilitate joint working at regional and sub-regional levels? Or, is urban-rural joint working the result of a pragmatic ‘bottom-up’ approach to address issues that demand collaboration at a different geographical scale than that of individual local authorities? What scope is there for exchange of best practice between different regions and across national boundaries regarding this way of working?

The paper concludes that the urban-rural interdependency perspective can be developed as a useful tool to increase our understanding of sustainable regional development. It can provide a framework to aide spatial planning in the widest sense at the regional and sub-regional levels. At a more theoretical level, the urban-rural interdependency perspective has the potential to contribute to the development of a social economy approach to regional development.

This paper deals with the migration of young women from rural areas in northern Scandinavia. The way from adolescence to adulthood is discussed and the notionof a male periphery is presented. An attempt is made to shift focus in studies ofrural youth migration. The emphasis here is on the socially constructed space thatthe young women leave. Is one reason behind the rural migration pattern to be foundin the male periphery? The periphery is dominated by male economic and leisureactivities. Women in the rural areas are less visible, and their activities arenot as valued as the male activities. Young men tend to follow in the footstepof their fathers, while young rural women break with the mothers on their lifepaths. There are few modern role models for the daughters in the periphery. Astudy of young women and men in Troms county in northern Norway is used toillustrate the women's paths from adolescence to adult life. Young women inrural Troms do, to a much larger extent than the young rural men, take highereducation. They have ambitions of highly qualified jobs, either in towns or intheir home localities. The young rural women break new ground by continuing inhigher education. The young men run the risk of being left behind as losers.