Unraveling spatial patterns of COVID-19 in Italy: Global forces and local economic drivers

Toward a Spatially Segregated Urban Growth? Austerity, Poverty, and the Demographic Decline of Metropolitan Greece

Metropolitan decline in southern Europe was documented in few cases, being less intensively investigated than in other regions of the continent. Likely for the first time in recent history, the aftermath of the 2007 recession was a time period associated with economic and demographic decline in Mediterranean Europe. However, the impacts and consequences of the great crisis were occasionally verified and quantified, both in strictly urban contexts and in the surrounding rural areas. By exploiting official statistics, our study delineates sequential stages of demographic growth and decline in a large metropolitan region (Athens, Greece) as a response to economic expansion and stagnation. Having important implications for the extent and spatial direction of metropolitan cycles, the Athens’ case—taken as an example of urban cycles in Mediterranean Europe—indicates a possibly new dimension of urban shrinkage, with spatially varying population growth and decline along a geographical gradient of income and wealth. Heterogeneous dynamics led to a leapfrog urban expansion decoupled from agglomeration and scale, the factors most likely shaping long-term metropolitan expansion in advanced economies. Demographic decline in urban contexts was associated with multidimensional socioeconomic processes resulting in spatially complex demographic outcomes that require appropriate, and possibly more specific, regulation policies. By shedding further light on recession-driven metropolitan decline in advanced economies, the present study contributes to re-thinking short-term development mechanisms and medium-term demographic scenarios in Mediterranean Europe.

Which factors influence mobility change during COVID‐19 in Germany? Evidence from German county data

This study analyzes the role of regional demographic, socioeconomic, and political factors in mobility changes during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Germany. Spatial econometric models are applied using data from the 401 counties in Germany. The model incorporates measures to reduce potential endogeneity effects. Our results show that mobility change shows significant socioeconomic heterogeneity, which could affect future policy measures to contain the pandemic. For example, case numbers and the share of academics are negatively associated with changes in mobility. On the contrary, a region's mean age and rural location have a positive impact. Political and economic implications of the results are discussed. The findings point to a possible reorganization of spatial, economic, and social activities beyond the course of the pandemic.