Bioeconomy—A Systematic Literature Review on Spatial Aspects and a Call for a New Research Agenda

Franz Grossauer () and Gernot Stoeglehner
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Franz Grossauer: Institute of Spatial Planning, Environmental Planning and Land Rearrangement, BOKU—University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
Gernot Stoeglehner: Institute of Spatial Planning, Environmental Planning and Land Rearrangement, BOKU—University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, A-1180 Vienna, Austria

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: Over the last 10 to 15 years, bioeconomy (BE) has evolved to a widely accepted alternative to the dominant use of finite raw materials around the globe. One of the essential prerequisites for the sustainable implementation of this future-oriented economic system is the consideration of spatial framework conditions. This review assesses whether spatial aspects are addressed in the scientific discourse on the bioeconomy. Between 2010 to 2021, 8812 articles were published dealing with the thematic field of bioeconomy. Using a keyword list covering themes related to spatial issues, 107 articles were identified. It was possible to demonstrate that spatial aspects are rarely discussed and large research gaps are evident. These gaps relate, for example, to the development of planning instruments for the protection of agricultural land or the assessment of the influence of intensification of agriculture on biodiversity or the multifunctionality of landscapes. In addition, the social aspects of transitioning to a bioeconomy, the role of regional planning with respect to decentralised versus centralised models, and the influence of policy and governance to foster a sustainable transition process and to avoid land use conflicts are all topics which need to be addressed in research. Based on these results, a research agenda was developed covering these and further issues to enable a sustainable spatial implementation of different forms of bioeconomy.

Keywords: bioeconomy; spatial planning; agriculture; regional development; ecosystem services; governance; land use change; social sustainability; priority zones; soil protection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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