Prerequisite:

Second-cycle Bologna degree in the relevant track or a university (level VII) degree

Content (Syllabus outline):

• Overview of the main traditional and modern concepts of economic geography
• The main factors of the competitiveness of the economy at different spatial levels
• Knowledge, creativity and innovation in economic development
• Globalization, glocalisation and digitization of the economy
• Regional innovation strategies (smart specialization)
• Industry 4.0
• The impact of digitalization on regional development (ICT, new technologies, new business models, social innovation)
• Demographic trends, active ageing and silver economy
• Integration of the economy with the historical, social, environmental and cultural development
• Policies to promote the economy at different spatial levels

Readings:

• Rickard, S. J. (2020). Economic Geography, Politics, and Policy. Annual Review of Political Science. 23: 187–202. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-polisci-050718-033649
• Hilpert, U. (2019). Diversities of Innovation. Routledge: London, New York.
• Huggins, R. (ed.), Thompson, P. (ed.) 2017: Handbook of Regions and Competitiveness: Contemporary Theories and Perspectives on Economic Development. Edward Elgar
• Pike, A.; Rodriguez-Pose, A., Tomaney, J. 2017: Local and Regional Development: second edition. Routledge.
• OECD, 2018: Job Creation and Local Economic Development 2018: Preparing for the Future of Work. OECD.
• Capello, R., Lenzi, C. (eds.) (2015). Territorial Patterns of Innovation: An Inquiry on the knowledge economy in European regions. Routledge, London.
• Musterd, S., Kovács, Z. (2013). Place-making and Policies for Competitive Cities. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.
• Karlsson, C., Johansson, B., Stough, R. (2013). Entrepreneurial Knowledge, Technology and the Transformation of Regions. Routledge, London.
• Madanipour, A. (2011). Knowledge Economy and the City: Spaces of Knowledge. Routledge, London.
• Wood, A., Roberts, S. (2011). Economic Geography: Places, Networks and Flows. Routledge, London.
• Wixted, B. (2009). Innovation Systems Frontiers: Cluster Networks and Global Value. Springer, Berlin.
• Coe, N. M., Kelly, P. F., Yeung, H., W., C. (2007). Economic Geography: A Contemporary Introduction. Blackwell Publishing, Malden.

Objectives and competences:

The purpose of the course is to present places, the layout and spatial organization of economic activities. Students will acquire knowledge and skills to promote the competitiveness of the economy at different spatial scales by in-depth learning about classical (e.g. central places theory, Marxist political economy) and modern economic concepts (e.g. “new” economic geography, industry 4.0, quadrušple helix model, silver economy, ICT, evolutionary economic geography). Particular focus will be on knowledge, creativity, innovation and social responsibility as fundamental aspects of modern economies in the developed world. At the same time it will also focus on integration with other aspects of development, such as historical, social, environmental and cultural development. Students will demonstrate appropriate methodological tools for investigating, collecting and interpreting relevant databases, which will allow a detailed analysis of the economic situation and processes with internationally comparable standards. After the completion of the teaching process, students should be able to make independent expertise in the field of economic geography and the understanding and application of these studies by other authors for development needs at different spatial scales.

Intended learning outcomes:

• Understanding of traditional and modern concepts and research methods in economic geography
• Ability to critically assess economic conditions and processes at different spatial scales and to find solutions to economic challenges
• Ability to relate current economic challenges with broad development and planning context

Assessment:

Oral exam (50 %), written paper (50 %).