Regional Economics
Instructor:
Prof. Dr. Sedef Akgüngör
Department of Economics
Course Introduction and Objectives:
The aim of the course is to explore and discuss the problem of regional economic disparities.
Theories of migration, location and regional economic growth will be introduced. Techniques
for analyzing aspects of the regional problem, including cost-benefit analysis, regional
accounting, shift share analysis, multiplier analysis will be presented. The course will cover
current issues on regional economic policy and development particularly with respect to
Turkey-EU relations.
Reading Materials:
There is no specific textbook for the class, we will be using articles and reports as well as
parts from a web text book :
Edgar M. Hoover and Frank Giarratani. An Introduction to Regional Economics (1999). The
Web book of Regional Science. Regional Research Institute. West Virginia University.
(http://www.rri.wvu.edu/WebBook/Giarratani/preface.htm)
Additional Readings will be posted on the web and they are also listed on the syllabus.
Weekly Course Schedule and Readings:
Week 1:
Introduction
Readings:
- Hoover and Giarratani, Ch.1
Week 2:
Perspectives on Economic Growth and Development
Readings:
- European Competitiveness Report. Chapter II and Annex 1 to Chapter II
(http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/enterprise_policy/competitiveness/doc/competitiveness_rep
ort_2001/)
Week 3:
Location Decisions
Readings:
- Hoover and Giarratani, 5
- Understanding the key industries
(http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/slp/economic_development/quantitative_analysis.html)
Week 4:
Regions
Readings:
- Hoover and Giarratani, Ch. 9
- Florida, R. (1995). “Toward the Learning Region”. Futures 27(5): 527-536.
Week 5:
The Location of People
Readings:
- Hoover and Giarratani, Ch. 10
Week 6:
Regional Development and Regional Policies
Readings:
- Hoover and Giarratani, Ch. 11 and 12
- Landabaso, M., C. Oughton and K. Morgan (1999). “Learning Regions in Europe:
Theory, Policy and Practice through the RIS Experience”. 3rd International Conference
on Regional Innovation and Policy. Austin, USA.
Week 7:
EU Regional Policies
Readings:
- Working for the regions
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/intro/working1_en.htm
- A New Partnership on Cohesion (Cohesion Report)
Week 8:
Regional Competitiveness
Readings:
- Mapping Regional Competitiveness (Lisbon Agenda Briefing)
- More Regional Specialization (Clusters Report)
Week 9:
Regional Clusters and Networks
Readings:
- Porter, M. (1998). “Clusters and the New Economics of Competition”. Harvard
Business Review November, December.
- Kartels, C. (2004). “European Clusters”. Structural Change in Europe 3-Innovative
City and Business Regions.
Week 10 and 11:
Turkey’s Regional Policies
Readings:
- Bilen, G. “Novel Regional Policy of Turkey in Line with EU Standards”.
- Loewendahl-Ertugal, E. (2005). “Europeanization of Regional Policy and Regional
Governanca: The Case of Turkey”. European Political Economy Review 3(1): 18-53.
- 9. Plan Bölgesel Gelişme AB’ye Sosyal ve Ekonomik Uyum Özel İhtisas Komisyonu
Raporu. Ocak 2006.
NOTE: All required readings will be available on the course website
http://kisi.deu.edu.tr/sedef.akgungor/