Regional Development

Recommended Prerequisites

Microeconomics; Macroeconomics.

Teaching Methods

The lectures are organized to encourage students’ active involvement in learning, fostering student-teacher and student-student interaction.
In some classes the theoretical contents are exposed, stimulating the discussion of their importance and validity. In others, theoretical knowledge is applied to discuss and analyse (real and/or simulated) problems, hence contributing to the course objectives’ achievement.
Further, tutorial guidance is available to students, in order to seek clarification,explanations, guidance for the essay or to debate a theme.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit is intended to provide the student with the ability to discuss the specificities and factors inherent to regional (economic) development. Thus, at the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Understand the concepts and recognize the dynamics associated with regional development;
2. Explain why are regions different from nations, characterize the spatial distribution of economic activities, and summarize their main determinants;
3. Characterize the region’s economic base, and analyze the structure of their intersectoral and interregional relations;
4. Know the European policy for cities and regions; and, taking into account the objectives of sustainable development, discuss and propose regional development policies adapted to the context of a specific region.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The lexicon of regional science: space, territory, region, urban systems and mobilities
2. The spatial distribution of economic activities and territorial structures
2.1. Why are regions different from nations?
2.2. Spatial clustering and agglomeration economies
3. Intra and inter-regional economic analysis
3.1. Characterization of the economic base of the regions
3.2. Trade and value chains
3.3. Migrations as an adjustment mechanism
4. Policies and strategies for sustainable territorial development
4.1. European policy on regions and cities
4.2. The Sustainable Development Goals in Cities and Regions

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 30.0%
Research work: 70.0%

Bibliography

CAPELLO, Roberta; NIJKAMP, Peter (eds.) Handbook of Regional Growth and Development Theories: Revised and Extended Second Edition. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2019
MCCANN, Philip; VARGA, Attila (eds.), Place-based Economic Development and the New EU Cohesion Policy. London: Routledge, 2018.
PIKE, Andy ; RODRÍGUEZ-POSE, Andrés ; TOMANEY, John Local and regional development. London: Routledge, 2017.