Prerequisite:

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

Content (Syllabus outline):

• introduction to regional economics
• methods in regional economics
• regional economic growth and its factors
• location theories and regional specialisation
• public policies
• project cycle
• economic impact analysis
• technological, demographic, social and environmental trends
• business development
• research and innovation policies (smart specialization strategies., Industry 4.0, digitalization)
• regional economic modelling
• spatial econometrics
• regional multiplier

Readings:

• McCann, P. 2001: Urban And Regional Economics. Oxford.
• Stimson, R. J., Stough, R. R., Roberts, B. H. 2006: Regional Economic Development. Analysis and Planning Strategy. Springer.
• Krugman, P. 1991: Geography and Trade. Gaston Eyskens Lecture Series.
• Armstrong, H., Taylor, J. 2000: Regional Economics and Policy. Wiley
• 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.
• Ehlhorst, P. (2014): Spatial Econometrics – From Cross-Sectional Data to Spatial Panels, Springer.

Objectives and competences:

The aim of the course is to present economic aspects of regional development, in particular regional economic growth factors, locational theories, regional specialisation, methods for economic impact assessment, business development, etc. and thus present economic theories and models that can be used at regional level.

Intended learning outcomes:

• understand economic premises of development
• use economic knowledge for solving development issues
• develop economic models and use them to explain economic situation

Assessment:

Exam (90 %), written paper (10 %).