Bastian Heider

Bastian Heider is a German economic geographer affiliated with the Institute for Regional and Urban Development Research in Dortmund. He specializes in the impact of infrastructure and regional development on political dynamics in Germany. His recent research, commissioned by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, examines the correlation between deteriorating public services and the rise of right-wing populism, particularly the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. In a recent interview, Heider discusses the implications of failing infrastructure on democratic trust and the urgent need for structural reforms to foster equitable development across regions.