Growth pole policy, spatial transformation and spatial inequalities in the metropolitan areas of Romania

Abstract

The recent increase of regional inequalities in Europe, and in particular in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has led to the reconsideration and revival of the “growth pole” concept in academic fields like regional economics, economic geography and spatial planning. In contrast to the classical view developed by French economists, the new policy-led approach on growth poles is emphasizing a much broader perspective. Designed for the reduction of regional inequalities, the rebirth of growth poles concept in the development planning practice triggered an important debate about the relation between spatial inequalities, economic growth and development. This article provides a critical overview and assessment of growth pole policy and spatial inequalities in Romania. The main objective is the analysis of the spatial change in the metropolitan areas of the seven growth poles by taking into consideration four groups of indicators: demographic, economic, housing and land use. The empirical results show a differentiated socio-spatial dynamic of the metropolitan areas, although being designated and treated as national growth poles. Moreover, there is no evidence for the adequateness of the growth pole spatial planning tool to its main objective: the reduction of spatial inequalities. In this case a crisis (increasing spatial inequalities and peripheralization) has not generated any transformative power in spatial planning, which rises serious doubts about the innovative capacities of the spatial development policies.