Course Details

Regional Policy

Academic Year 2023/24

NVB047 course is part of 2 study plans

​ NPC-SIE Summer Semester 1st year

​ NPC-MI Summer Semester 1st year

Regional economy. Economic space systems. Theoretical approaches to their explanation. Localization theory. Regional development and growth theories.
Region, regional dimension of the factor market.
Economic level of the regions, its evaluation.
Regional politics.

Credits

3 credits

Language of instruction

Czech

Semester

summer

Course Guarantor

Ing. Lucie Vaňková, Ph.D.

Institute

Institute of Structural Economics and Management

Forms and criteria of assessment

graded course-unit credit

Entry Knowledge

Knowledge of fundamentals of microeconomics, macroeconomics and world economics, behaviour of economic system, its tools and relations between microeconomic subjects.

Aims

The aim of the subject is for students to understand the meaning of localization theories, to be able to use simple methods of localization analysis and be capable of interpreting their results, understand the position of a natural monopoly on a regional market and the necessity of its regulation.
The ability to explain the question of spatial concentration or dispersion and agglomeration effects related to it, knowledge of the theory of polarized development as a typical example of growth theory, including its practical implementation. Understanding of the term ‘region’, the issue of regionalization of a territory, overview of the question of evaluation of regional differences, the appearance of inter-regional inequalities and possibilities of influencing them. Penetration into regional policy issues in the Czech Republic. Familiarisation with the regional policy documents of the Czech Republic and with the conditions of regional support programmes.

Recommended Reading

Blažek, Jiří a David Uhlíř. Teorie regionálního rozvoje: nástin, kritika, implikace. Charles University in Prague, Karolinum Press, 2020. ISBN 8024645661, 9788024645667. (cs)
Nikolaeva Venera. Regional Policy of the EU: New Challenges in the Absorption and Implementation of Structural Assistance. Lap Lambert Academic Publishing GmbH KG, 2015. ISBN 3659706396, 9783659706394. (en)

Syllabus

1. Introduction to regional economy. Spatial economic systems. Theoretical approaches to their explanation.
2. Localization theories – agriculture (von Thünen), industry (Schäffle, Fischer, Weber).
3. Localization theories of the 1920s and 1950s.
4. Agglomeration effects, spatial concentration or dispersion.
5. Regions and regionalization, homogeneous and heterogeneous regions.
6. Regional dimensions of the market of factors of production – job market, immovable property market.
7. Regional development and growth theories – theory of polarized development, export base theory etc.
8. Economic level of regions – main influencing factors.
9. Evaluation of the economic level – microeconomic and macroeconomic, quantitative and qualitative indicators.
10. Regional policy – inter-regional differences, regional policy conception according to the main economic schools.
11. Regional policy in the Czech Republic – principles, tools, regions with concentrated support from the state.
12. Regional policy of the Czech Republic in the period 2021–2027.
13. Regional development strategy of the Czech Republic and other regional policy documents of the Czech Republic.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of fundamentals of microeconomics, macroeconomics and world economics, behaviour of economic system, its tools and relations between microeconomic subjects.

Specification of controlled instruction, the form of instruction, and the form of compensation of the absences

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Offered to foreign students

Not to offer

Course on BUT site

https://www.vut.cz/en/students/courses/detail/271089

Lecture

13 weeks, 2 hours/week, elective

Syllabus

1. Introduction to regional economy. Spatial economic systems. Theoretical approaches to their explanation.

2. Localization theories – agriculture (von Thünen), industry (Schäffle, Fischer, Weber).

3. Localization theories of the 1920s and 1950s.

4. Agglomeration effects, spatial concentration or dispersion.

5. Regions and regionalization, homogeneous and heterogeneous regions.

6. Regional dimensions of the market of factors of production – job market, immovable property market.

7. Regional development and growth theories – theory of polarized development, export base theory etc.

8. Economic level of regions – main influencing factors.

9. Evaluation of the economic level – microeconomic and macroeconomic, quantitative and qualitative indicators.

10. Regional policy – inter-regional differences, regional policy conception according to the main economic schools.

11. Regional policy in the Czech Republic – principles, tools, regions with concentrated support from the state.

12. Regional policy of the Czech Republic in the period 2014–2020.

13. Regional development strategy of the Czech Republic and other regional policy documents of the Czech Republic.

Exercise

13 weeks, 1 hours/week, compulsory

Syllabus

1. Program of teaching, instruction and guidance, requirements for award a credit. SWOT analysis. Case Study - assignment of an individual project.

2. Case Study – SWOT analysis, field Position of the region and geographical conditions, Socio-economic conditions, Transport, Infrastructure and Landscape and environment.

3. Case Study - public presentation of SWOT analysis by each group.

4. Case Study - comparison of selected region with national indicators - GDP, unemployment, building production etc.

5. Case Study - Regional development plan of the region.

6. Case Study – EU grants and subsidies for the region. Completion and correction.

7. A public presentation of the previous parts by each groups. A comprehensive summary of the case study. Submission of case study in both print and electronic versions.