Regional Economics

Objectives

This course, which is part of the Bachelors program in Economics, is directed to students at the level of 1st cycle of the Bologna process, with some background in microeconomics and macroeconomics and it aims at making them acquire rigorous knowledge about the fundamental issues of regional economics.

The students who have completed this course will be able to:

a) Address the economic problems using the methodologies of regional analysis;

b) Develop a better knowledge about the main regional development policies;

c) Have a better understanding about the location of economic activities;

d) Analyze the main regional issues in Portugal and in the Azores.

This allows the students to gain a good preparation facilitating their access to high qualified jobs in local, regional, national and international development agencies, as well as in academic and research careers.

Program

1. Regional Economics

1.1 Regional income and employment determination models

1.2 Input-output modeling of regional economies

1.3 Neoclassical model of long-term growth and convergence dymics

1.4 Export demand models, agglomeration and cumulative growth processes

1.5 Interregional trade

1.6 Interregional migration: gravity models

1.7 Regional employment growth

2. Spatial Analysis and New Economic Geography

2.1 Location theories, spatial distribution of activities and clusters

2.2 Clusters and regional development

3. Regional Policies

2.1 Regional policy in European Union and in the Azores

Teaching Methodologies

Being a class addressing many theoretical concepts, the theoretical classes are mainly comprised of discussions, presenting the main concepts and theories, using the materials previously shared with the class, via Moodle. Student engagement is highly motivated and sought after by having open discussions throughout the class.

Bibliography