Tatjana Fischer and Verena Peer, Institute of Spatial Planning and Rural Development, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), presented their research on the relevance of spatial-related aspects for life-long and intergenerational learning in rural areas – evidences from Austria

1. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
1
The relevance of spatial-related aspects for life-long learning
and intergenerational learning in rural areas – evidences from
Austria
Tatjana Fischer and Verena Peer
Final conference of the project „Big foot: Crossing Generations,
Crossing Mountains“, Vienna International Centre, June 5th, 2013

2. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
2
Planning challenges in rural areas
Definitions and requirements for LLL and IGL
LLL and IGL  sustainable rural development? Resume & bottlenecks
Conclusions – delicate questions left open
Overview

3. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
3
Planning challenges in rural areas
3
characteristic traits of structurally weak rural areas:
- demographic aging / selective out-migration
- unsolved questions of succession
- infrastructural qualities (incl. provision of broadband internet)
- financial weakness (of the public sector)
- image
small populations –
strong heterogeneities –
high fluctuation
breaking up and dissolution
of rural societies and communities
individualisation of concepts of life and
settlement development
- (desire for) contacts in place
socio-spatial aspects
(within the family)
- residences of the older generation
- residences of the young
LLL and IGL  sustainable rural development?
planning in existing contexts –
qualities and opportunities
of spaces

4. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
4
life-long learning (LLL) …
is based on three principles: “life-long”, “life-wide”, “centred on ‘learning’ rather
than on education
intergenerational learning (IGL)…
transfer of knowledge between generations within and outside families
different utilisation of knowledge and skills
private benefits: cultivation and transmission of tradition
and/or
economic realisation: entrepreneurship/start-ups
… from young to old: approaching to the new media
… from old to young: passing traditional craft techniques, educational support
Definitions

5. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
5
LLL
Requirements
IGL
spatial proximity
similar interests
good atmosphere
meeting places
ability – willingness
skills
interests – awareness
phase of life – constraints
affectedness – presence
access to / utilisation of
new media
learning and
recreational facilities &
reach ability
political and financial support
continuing demand for …
spatial-related aspects
volume > potential > practicing

6. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
6
Approximating the potentials of LLL and IGL:
Empirical findings from rural Austria
6
best agers: 55 to 65 years old: 6 municipalities: n = 204 (primary dwellers)
people aged 70+: 18 municipalities: n = 75
population aged 20 to 65 years: n = 80

7. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
7
Volume – potential – actually practicing IGL:
best agers (aged 55 to 65 years)
indicator(s) volume potential 1 potential 2 practicing IGL
primary dwellers 204 persons
primary dwellers
active and interested
94 persons
primary dwellers
active and interested
retired
63 persons
??? ???

8. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
8
Knowledge transfer: also a matter of skills
former occupation of the best agers
house-
wives
(skilled)
workmen
(commercial)
clerks
(technical)
engineers
teachers farmers selection total
Rohr 0 1 1 2 0 0 4 ?
Eberau 1 1 3 0 4 1 10 ?
Mürzsteg 1 2 1 1 1 0 6 ?
Kapellen 0 5 1 0 0 0 6 ?
Bernhardsthal 0 6 4 4 0 1 15 ?
Rabensburg 3 6 4 2 0 0 15 ?
potential 2 5 21 14 9 5 2 56 63

9. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
9
IGL within the family:
also a matter of spatial proximity
residential municipalities of the best agers (2012)
residential municipalities of their (grand-)children (2012)
potential 1
(active and interested)
94 persons
having children 81
grandparenthood 53
multi-generation living 24
at least one grandchild
in the home municipality
23
multi-generation living + at
least one grandchild in the
home municipality
7

10. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
10
LLL and IGL 
sustainable rural development?
It depends on the added value for the (next generation of the) rural
municipality / region.
from the
perspective of
spatial economy
e. g.
opening of new sources of income
establishing regional value chains
reducing (selective) out-migration (of high-potentials)
increasing the number of returners of working age
from the socio-
spatial perspective
e. g.
strengthening social ties and intergenerational
solidarity
developing further mutual support

11. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
11
LLL and GL not necessarily imply sustainable rural development.
 heterogeneity related to personal prerequisites
 socio-spatial aspects
 political support and financial constraints
 private benefits prevail
Resume and bottlenecks (1)

12. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
12
LLL and GL may imply sustainable rural development.
 working out a USP
 heading for monetary value creation
 sufficient number of supporters
 endogenous potential is stable over time
 local and regional goals match
Resume and bottlenecks (2)

13. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
13
Note: the contributions of LLL / IGL to imply sustainable rural development
tend to be overestimated.
concentrate on tourism and crafts.
depend on the economic
starting level of a municipality / region.
Note: uncertain knowledge of how to
identify and mobilize endogenous (human) potentials.
measure economic added values.
determine an appropriate spatial level in order to raise investment levels.
Conclusions – delicate questions left open

14. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Department für Raum, Landschaft
und Infrastruktur
IRUB
Thank you very much for your attention!
Tatjana Fischer
Institute of Spatial Planning and Rural Development
Department of Spatial, Landscape and Infrastructure Sciences
BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
e-Mail: tatjana.fischer@boku.ac.at
Verena Peer
Institute of Sustainable Economic Development
Department of Economics and Social Sciences
BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
e-Mail: verena.peer@boku.ac.at