The Quadruple Transition: Digital, Energy, Spatial, and Demographic Megatrends in Regional Development

Dear Colleagues,

Every era encounters its own opportunities and threats that shape its characteristic megatrends. In this Special Issue, I would like to draw attention to processes occurring at the regional level within areas defined by four contemporary megatrends.

The first of these concerns is the developmental impulse of modern economies: digital transformation and the increasingly bold integration of artificial intelligence solutions into various spheres of socio-economic life. The advancement of digitalization and artificial intelligence adds a new dimension to 'smart cities' and 'smart growth' strategies, shifting the focus from simple automation toward data-driven regional ecosystems.

The second megatrend encompasses the very foundations of the modern economy—energy. Within this field, we observe clashing ideas: the ‘green’ approach, aligned with the spirit of solutions based on renewable energy sources, and what we might call the ‘brown’ transformation, favoring development based on ‘black’ energy sources such as oil and coal. The first and second megatrends will directly translate into the structure of regional economies and the quality of jobs, consequently shaping the overall quality of life for their inhabitants.

The third megatrend pertains to the development processes of cities and regions. On one hand, we see clearly advancing urbanization and the strengthening role of large urban centers; on the other hand, there is a search for solutions for depopulating peripheral areas. In many cases, this megatrend can also be linked to the polarization of economic development or, conversely, convergence. At this point, it is worth addressing questions regarding the specializations and competitive advantages of individual regions.

The fourth megatrend covers the issues of demographic change and migration—problems that take on different forms in various corners of the world. A particular challenge characterizing the highly developed economies of Europe, Asia, and America is the problem of an aging society and low fertility rates (well below the replacement level). This phenomenon is often referred to as the ‘silver economy.’ Added to this are various tensions related to migratory movements.

Each of these megatrends permeates different areas of local and regional economic functioning in distinct ways, leaving their marks and altering their competitive positions. What constitutes an opportunity for some regions poses a significant developmental threat to others. It is worth pausing to examine contemporary trends from the perspective of diverse regional conditions, considering how to harness the opportunities offered by modern developmental trends for specific regions while avoiding potential dangers.

Rather than discussing megatrends in isolation, the publications in this Special Issue focus on their interdisciplinary intersection and regional specificity. Decoding the multidimensional differences and unique developmental perspectives of individual regions allows us to transform local distinctness into universal capital, which—when utilized skillfully—becomes the foundation for building an authentic and resilient growth path.

Prof. Dr. Beata Bal-Domańska
Guest Editor

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• regions
• economies
• changes
• green vs. brown transformation
• resilient growth path
• developmental paths
• smart growth/city