MULTI-LEVEL GOVERNANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN IMPLEMENTING THE TRANS-EUROPEAN TRANSPORT NETWORK (TEN-T) POLICY AT THE BRENNER PASS
Author
Falch, Patrícia
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2024
Abstract
This thesis examines how the European Union’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy is put into practice at the Brenner Pass, a key link in the Scandinavian–Mediterranean Corridor. Using a single case study and frame analysis (Entman), it investigates how multiple governance levels and stakeholders—the European Commission (DG MOVE), the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee, the national governments of Italy and Austria, regional and local authorities, civic organizations, and industry—frame and interpret economic, environmental, and social impacts. The study asks: How does implementation at the Brenner Pass illustrate the challenges and opportunities of Multi-Level Governance Type 2? The analysis finds that, while TEN-T aims to improve connectivity, economic growth, and sustainability, implementation is hindered by overlapping jurisdictions, conflicting regulations, and divergent national priorities, underscoring the need for stronger coordination across levels. At the same time, it identifies opportunities in more systematic stakeholder engagement, better alignment of policy objectives, and innovative ways to bridge regulatory discrepancies. Overall, the case highlights the value of flexible, adaptive, and collaborative governance arrangements for managing complex cross-border infrastructure, with the Brenner Pass serving as a microcosm of wider European integration efforts.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan EU’s politik for det Transeuropæiske Transportnet (TEN-T) omsættes til praksis ved Brennerpasset, et centralt led i den skandinavisk-middelhavske korridor. Med et casestudie og frame-analyse (Entman) belyses, hvordan flere styringsniveauer og interessenter—Europa-Kommissionen (DG MOVE), Europa-Parlamentets Transport- og Turismeudvalg, Italiens og Østrigs regeringer, regionale og lokale myndigheder, civilsamfund og erhvervsliv—rammesætter og fortolker økonomiske, miljømæssige og sociale effekter. Specialet stiller spørgsmålet: Hvordan illustrerer implementeringen ved Brennerpasset Multi-Level Governance Type 2’s udfordringer og muligheder? Analysen viser, at selv om TEN-T sigter mod bedre sammenhæng, økonomisk vækst og bæredygtighed, hæmmes gennemførelsen af overlappende kompetencer, modstridende reguleringer og forskellige nationale prioriteter, hvilket peger på behovet for stærkere koordination på tværs af niveauer. Samtidig identificeres muligheder i mere systematisk interessentinddragelse, bedre målalignment og innovative løsninger på reguleringsforskelle. Overordnet fremhæver casen værdien af fleksible, adaptive og samarbejdsbaserede styringsstrukturer til håndtering af komplekse, grænseoverskridende infrastrukturprojekter, hvor Brennerpasset fungerer som et mikrokosmos for bredere europæisk integrationsindsats.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]