Update

Key players for rural areas: Small and medium-sized towns and Regional Care Centres

ARL International ARL International
published on 10/10/2024

ARL Brussels talk 

State Representation of Lower Saxony, Brussels // 20 November 2024, 12:00-14:00

In the public debate about metropolitan growth, small and medium-sized towns often appear as marginalised forms of settlements, supposedly characterized exclusively by a recent loss of population. However, they play a vital role in providing public services to rural areas and serve as vital anchors for these communities. Developing and maintaining a strong supply infrastructure is essential to retain people in their neighbourhoods, particularly concerning health services and other services of general interest. 

The state of Lower Saxony, with its many and diverse rural areas, is facing precisely this challenge. Model projects such as the Regional Care Centres (RVZ) are being established in rural areas. The aims of the RVZs are to secure and improve medical care by establishing municipal medical care centres (MVZ) for general practitioners, to bundle further comprehensive services of general interest and to become "social locations" that can strengthen social cohesion, especially in rural areas.

Additionally, the Future Spaces Directive (Zukunftsräume) promotes creative projects to increase the attractiveness of small- and medium-sized towns and to develop potential solutions providing public services for the surrounding region.

This event is aimed at EU-policymakers and intends to explore the potential of small and medium-sized towns to strengthen rural areas. Examples from Lower Saxony will demonstrate clearly the importance of supporting these areas and the transferability of these initiatives to other rural regions in Europe will be discussed. By highlighting innovative solutions and sharing best practices, the event aims to generate insights and stimulate ideas for future EU funding measures dedicated to enhancing the role of small- und medium-sized towns. 

 

Agenda

11:30    Registration 

12:00    Opening | Matthias Wunderling-Weilbier, state secretary of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Federal and European Affairs and Regional Development

12:10    Bundling services ensures quality of life in rural areas! | Axel Priebs, president of the Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz-Association (ARL)

12:20    Urban in the rural – but forgotten? Why small and medium-sized towns need more attention | Annett Steinführer, Thünen Institute and Martin Sondermann, Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz-Association (ARL)

12:40    Examples from Lower Saxony | Mathias Dingerdissen,  Lower Saxony Ministry of Federal and European Affairs and Regional Development 

12:50    Transition to the panel discussion | Hendrik Kafsack, EU Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.)

13:00    Panel Discussion | Hendrik Kafsack, EU Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.)

13:30    Closing words | Matthias Wunderling-Weilbier, state secretary of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Federal and European Affairs and Regional Development

 

After the official part, there will be a joint lunch where discussions can be continued.

The event will be held in German and English and will be translated simultaneously. 

Title image: Martin Sondermann