Structural change in former mining regions: Problems, potentials and capacities in multi-level-governance systems

Abstract

The paper discusses remediation and regeneration processes in former mining regions in Eastern Germany. Research focuses on the multi-level governance system in which the environmental rehabilitation processes were set in. The paper discusses certain difficulties of the system, which can be characterized as problems of interplay, fit, scale and path dependency (Young). Results highlight the importance of enhancing regional capacities, in order to allow actors in former mining regions to find appropriate rehabilitation solutions and to connect them with new development approaches. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.