Regional resilience as a foresight approach

Conceptualization and the case of the German Rhineland region

Bibliographic Data

ID21601366
AuthorsMartina Fromhold‐eisebith (0000-0002-2059-9124, RWTH Aachen University), Martina Fromhold-Eisebith (RWTH Aachen University, corresponding author), Fabian Fahl (0000-0003-3172-3415, RWTH Aachen University)
Year2026
Volume34
Issue5
Pages934-956
Publication date2026-05-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEuropean Planning Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0965-4313 • E-ISSN: 1469-5944
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09654313.2025.2610429
OpenAlexW7118816520
LanguageEN
References cited42

The regional resilience notion conceptualizes capacities of regional economies to withstand and recover from shocks or crises. This paper proposes to combine the concept with aspects of foresight, interpreting dimensions of resilience as a bridge between past and future trends. We also highlight the importance to considering particularly versatile industry fields when regional economies need to cope with a restructuring shock, suggesting that bioeconomy sectors offer good scope for foreseeing resilient futures. Based on conceptual considerations, a methodology is suggested that analyses factors of spatially differing resilience capacities in the past and links them to scenario building. This approach is employed to empirically identify relevant factors of resilience and explore how bioeconomy activities could support the future industrial restructuring of the Rhineland Region, Germany (research in 2022/23, using 41 resilience indicators, 52 expert interviews). Three conceptually grounded scenarios are suggested and discussed with respect to viability and policy recommendations

Conceptualization · Futures studies · German · Psychological resilience · Disaster Management and Resilience · Regional resilience and development · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access