Balanced Regional Development Research Articles

СИСТЕМА ОРГАНІВ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ДЕРЖАВНОЇ РЕГІОНАЛЬНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ В УКРАЇНІ

The system of bodies, which provide state regional policy in Ukraine, the normative provision of their status and activities, and the relationship between them are described. Realization of the state regional policy is an important element of the mechanism of public administration. Balanced regional development – may be the result of only a well-balanced and professionally implemented state regional policy. The driving force in this process is the bodies designed to provide state regional policy. Their system is three-level, with horizontal and vertical interconnections. The highest level consists of the highest bodies of state power and central executive bodies, the regional one is the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, regional and Kyiv and Sevastopol city state administrations, oblast, rayon, Kyiv and Sevastopol city councils, local – district and rayon in the cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol, state administrations, local self-government bodies. It has been established that associations and other unifications of local self-government bodies, public associations, individuals and legal entities also participate in the development and implementation of state regional policy. The Law of Ukraine “On the Foundations of State Regional Policy” defines the powers of the relevant public authorities in the field of state regional policy. Thus, the government in Ukraine provides for the development and implementation of nationwide programs aimed at the development of regions, approval of the State Strategy of Regional Development of Ukraine, planning of its implementation, selection of regional development programs and projects financed from the State Regional Development Fund, in addition to the Cabinet of Ministers tasks are assigned to ensure the coordination of executive authorities' activities both horizontally and vertically, approval of the procedure and methods of monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the implementation of state regional policy. The aforementioned Law stipulates that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine may exercise other powers in the sphere of regional policy, defined by the Constitution and laws of Ukraine. It is interesting that in the Law of Ukraine “On the Foundations of State Regional Policy” Art. 13 separately defines the powers of the central executive authority, which ensures the formation of the state regional policy, and the powers of the central executive body implementing the state regional policy, one could see in this formulation the idea of the need to distribute the key tasks in the field of state regional policy, and allocate one central executive body with authority, with regard to the formation of the relevant policy, and the other – with regard to its implementation. We believe that the concept of the subjects of state regional policy should include higher bodies of state power, central and local executive bodies, local self-government bodies, individuals and legal entities, and public associations. And bodies that are called to provide state regional policy should be assigned only relevant public authorities. The main reason for the separation from the structure of the entities, namely the group of bodies, is that, in addition to powers in the field of regional development, they are responsible for ensuring the implementation of the relevant state policy. Based on the above provisions, it is believed that regional development agencies are subjects of the state regional policy, which are intended to ensure the implementation of public-private partnership in the field of regional development. It is grounded the opinion that state regional policy is carried out by state authorities specially created to ensure the fulfillment of the functions of the state, however, under the conditions of realization of the democratic form of management of individuals and legal entities, different forms of their association should be involved in the process and the formation and implementation of the state regional policy.

СУЧАСНІ ПРОБЛЕМИ ФОРМУВАННЯ МЕХАНІЗМІВ СТИМУЛЮВАННЯ ЕКОНОМІЧНОГО ЗРОСТАННЯ НА РЕГІОНАЛЬНОМУ РІВНІ

Solution of problems accumulated in Ukraine at the regional level requires introduction of new mechanisms of economic growth based on the effective use of resource potential, which promotes sustainable and balanced regional development and improves standards and quality of citizens’ life. In the opinion of domestic scientists, the category of “economic growth” is considered as sustainable, advanced development, reactivation of regional economy on the basis of intensive development and increase in gross regional product per capita. In a broad sense, “economic growth” is a constant increase in a well-being of citizens living in a country [1; 3]. The issue of low economic growth potential should be distinguished among many other economic issues of the region. Solution of this and other issues involves elaboration of various measures, both of economic, social and legislative nature. Such terms as “economic growth”, “economic development” and “resource potential” have become widespread in scientific research. According to the definition, the socio-economic content of “economic growth” category in the economic literature gives an idea of a relative change in the gross domestic product (GDP) for a certain period, as well as GDP per capita. Economic growth is a component of economic development. “Economic development” category means the transition from one stage of the economy to another, in which the new period insures not only increase in production of goods and provision of services that have already been produced/provided before, but also production of new goods and provision of services using new technologies in comparison with the previous period. “Resource potential” category includes a system of resources used in a complex way and involves the obligatory complementarity of specific resources in the process of social production (one increased resource in a system suggests simultaneous increase in another one). It consists not only of resources intended for consumption in a certain period, but also their insurance and other reserves. In addition, resource potential also determines the potential opportunity for their consumption in the process of social production. State regional policy on creation of mechanisms for stimulating economic growth requires taking into account specifics of sectoral and territorial structure of local business entities, developed institutional and legal environment, introduction of effective financial and investment leverage of economic activity stimulation, their systemic support at the level of local self-government, coordination of activities of all branches of public authority, determination of specific local capital accumulation conditions and functions of labour and employment market, as well as staffing of country’s economic sector. Sustainable social and economic development in the region is achieved through introduction of mechanisms for stimulating economic growth. These are organizational-managerial, financial-budgetary and investment, organizational-economic and information mechanisms, as well as mechanisms of infrastructure support, small and medium business stimulation, entrepreneurship activation, regional cooperation and stimulation of economic growth at the regional level. Modern market conditions promote the creation of mechanisms for stimulating economic growth at the regional level (including public-private partnership and cooperation), mechanisms for stimulating entrepreneurship and small and medium businesses, formation of cluster associations, etc. Mechanisms for stimulating economic growth involves creation of attractive investment climate in the region, generation and accumulation of financial resources (by using its own economic potential), advantage in solving socio-economic development issues, as well as innovative development of equipment, modern technologies and production organization. The main agents of implementing the stimulation of regional economic development are state and regional public authorities, regional and local representative government authorities, business entities, communities, non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, etc. Main methods affecting mechanisms for stimulating economic growth at the regional level are as follows: – Organizational methods (simplified procedure for establishing a business entity, simplified tax and statistical reporting, consulting and audit services, applied research, etc.); – Economic methods: a) of direct action (methods of subsidizing production development (creation of new jobs, corporate training and further education, certain areas of production diversification); b) of indirect action (methods of long-term lend lease, use of modern organizational forms of productive forces interaction; – Legal methods (special legally established regime of economic management in a certain territory, involving the use of certain privileges and preferences for a predetermined circle of participants or for a strictly defined territory, the conclusion of territorial agreements between strategy implementation participants, etc.). Further research areas are the development of methodological support for implementation of the strategy of forming economic growth mechanisms, among which organization of a controlled economic system, definition of region’s objectives, analysis of economic situation in the region and main trends of its development, forecasting (planning), regulation (different regulatory measures of direct and indirect order), control (provision of feedback) and others are of great importance.

Trans-regional compensation mechanism under imbalanced land development: From the local government economic welfare perspective

Since 1990's China has issued a series of unbalanced land development policies for safeguarding food security and protecting farmland from overdevelopment, which brings about serious imbalanced development among regions. Thus initiating a trans-regional compensation mechanism to enhance balanced regional development is urgent. This paper attempts to shed the light on relationship between farmland protection and land finance from the perspective of local government economic welfare, and builds a trans-regional fiscal payment mechanism to balance farmland protection and economic development among provinces or autonomous regions or municipalities. Based on the data of China's second national land survey, a comprehensive level of farmland which takes the quantity, quality and ecological attributes of farmland into account, the relationship between farmland protection and land finance, and the trans-regional fiscal payment are quantified. The results indicate that (1) farmland protection for local government has a negative relationship with fiscal revenue accumulation, and an increase in per unit comprehensive value of farmland decreases about 11.474 Yuan (1.82USD) of per capita land revenue; (2) there are 17 farmland deficit regions mainly in East coastal China which should pay 26.1778 billion Yuan (4.14 billion USD) for overdevelopment and 14 farmland surplus agricultural dominant provinces mainly in Mid China which can gain a compensation of 35.0415 billion Yuan (5.54 billion USD) for underdevelopment (farmland protection). The study may contribute to the innovation of economic compensation policy of farmland preservation and reform of horizontal transfer fiscal payment.

Construct a composite indicator based on integrating Common Weight Data Envelopment Analysis and principal component analysis models: An application for finding development degree of provinces in Iran

Balanced development of regions requires the fair distribution of facilities and services. Hence, it is necessary to find and estimate the development degree of regions for policy makers. This paper presents an integrated Common Weight Data Envelopment Analysis (CWDEA) – Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model to find out the development degree of provinces in Iran. First, 131 suitable indicators are selected and then, the indicators are classified in fourteen different classes. In classical DEA model, each Decision Making Unit (DMU) is free to set its weights to reach the efficient frontier. In this paper, to restrict flexibility in indicator weights, development degree of provinces in each class is calculated using CWDEA model. Since, the proposed CWDEA model is not capable of fully ranking of provinces with all indicators, hence, the development degrees generated by CWDEA model are considered as indicators of PCA and the final ranks are obtained using PCA model. The results of proposed CWDEA-PCA model show that Yazd, Semnan and Bushehr are top three provinces in Iran.

Policy Initiative for Balance Regional Development and Growth

The economics growth and development mostly coined together, and it was thought that growth itself led to development of the country but it was found that there are more dissimilarities than complementary. A higher growth will spontaneously lead development only when there is equitable distribution of resources and balancing regional development. But it did not happen in practices as high growth widen inequality and unequal distribution between the different groups of people in the societies as well between inter-state and intra-state to create regional imbalance, further as there is a transition period of the economy and urbanization took place it was experienced that regional imbalance widen in the term of class difference, gender discrimination (lower participation of women, as well alarming sex ratio), resources distribution, and per capital income. Further, the regional economic disparities create more inequality between savings, investment, and had interconnected map over the vicious cycle of corruption, demographic challenges, influencing chronic & infectious diseases, illicit trade, migration, food insecurity, and governance failures. The paper is addressing those various issues and thrust area of policy initiatives to present the causes of regional imbalance and growth as well the policy initiative for inclusive development.

Regionalne strukturne neravnoteže Srbije kao posledica primenjenih tranzicionih modela privrednog rasta

One whole cannot develop unless all its parts develop. Regional development has direct implications for overall economic and social development! Regional transition in Serbia takes its toll on key development dimensions - demographic, spatial, economic, social, security and political. The state was not aware of the regional consequences of the transition. Regional policy was in the second plan, the focus of state instruments was dominantly placed on the process of transferring the planned economy into a market-oriented economy, regional imbalances were developed and intensified spontaneously and uncontrollably, the individual actions of the state were uncoordinated and selective, mainly initiated from particular political interests. State instruments were not in the function of depreciation of transitional consequences. The key message of the paper is that a more balanced regional development in Serbia cannot be implemented without building an efficient institutional framework, consisting of institutions and instruments, various policies that ensure stability, continuity and harmonization in the development process. In addition, the author points out the importance of affirming the integrative function of strategic regional development planning, the decentralization process and polycentric regional development. In regional theory and practice, it is generally accepted that a higher efficiency of implementation of regional development policy and planning is ensured through hierarchically differentiated decision-making systems.

공동주택 재건축사업의 용적률 기준 평가 연구 : 경기도 지역을 중심으로

To draw policy implications for rational operation of the upper FAR, this study examines the FAR standards of the apartment reconstruction projects of each local governments in Gyeonggi province and analyzes the level of the FAR standards considering the characteristics of local government and regional characteristic. On the basis of research purpose, this study set up indicators to evaluate the FAR standard level of the apartment reconstruction projects by local governments, and quantitatively evaluated them in terms of revitalization of reconstruction projects, prevention of monopolization of real estate development profits, and balanced development of regions. As a research method, this study used the FGI(Focus Group Interview) to set the FAR evaluation criteria and to classify the weights of the criteria through the AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) analysis method. Based on the derived criteria and weights, this study compares the FAR standards of 31 local governments in Gyeonggi Province by the aspects of regional equity and apartment reconstruction. As a result, this study revealed the areas where it is necessary to regulate the FAR standards somewhat because the areas are easy to secure the feasibility of reconstruction projects compared to other regions. The analysis also reveals areas where voluntary reconstruction projects occurring by FAR mitigation is expected to proceed. In addition, the results of the analysis show areas where the FAR standard needs to be relaxed in terms of regional equity.

Study on Environment Performance Evaluation and Regional Differences of Strictly-Environmental-Monitored Cities in China

With the rapid economic growth and development, the problem of environmental pollution in China’s cities is becoming increasingly serious, and environmental pollution takes on a regional difference. There is, however, little comprehensive evaluation on the environmental performance and the regional difference of strictly-environmental-monitored cities in China. In this paper, the environmental performance of 109 strictly-environmental-monitored cities in China is evaluated in terms of natural performance, management performance, and scale performance by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), incorporating PM2.5 and PM10 as undesirable outputs. The empirical results show that: (1) At present, the natural performance is quite high, while the management performance is noticeably low for most cities. (2) The gap between the level of economic development and environmental protection among cities in China is large, and the scale efficiency of big cities is better than that of smaller cities. The efficiency value of large-scale cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc. is high, equaling 1; the value of smaller cities such as Sanmenxia, Baoding, Mudanjiang, and Pingdingshan is low, close to 0, indicating that big cities are characterized by high environmental efficiency. (3) From the perspective of region, the level of environmental performance in China is very uneven. For example, the environmental efficiency level of the Pan-Pearl River Delta region is superior to that of the Pan-Yangtze River region and the Bahia Rim region, whose values of environmental efficiency are 0.858, 0.658, and 0.622 respectively. The average efficiency of the Southern Coastal Economic Zone, Eastern Coastal Comprehensive Economic Zone, and the Comprehensive Economic Zone in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River is higher than that of other regions. Finally, corresponding countermeasures and suggestions are put forward. The method used in this paper is applicable to the performance evaluation of cities, and the results of the evaluation reflect the differences of the environmental performance level between strictly-environmental-monitored cities and different regions in China, providing reference for the balanced environmental development of cities and regions.

Natural topographic controls on the spatial distribution of poverty-stricken counties in China

The spatial distribution pattern of the economic development among counties is an important external representation of a balanced and sustainable regional development in China. The natural topography has been regarded as one of the most important factors that controls the economic development of a county. Moreover, natural topography determines land availability and regional accessibility and further influences the objective environment of wealth creation. On the basis of the digital elevation model (DEM) data and geographic information science (GIS) spatial analysis method, this study utilizes the poverty-stricken counties in China to explore the influential factors of the spatial distribution of county's wealth by considering the natural topographic environment. The indexes of slope gradient, terrain relief, river length and river density are calculated to investigate the spatial relationship between the wealth distribution of counties and their natural topographic condition. Results show that the poverty-stricken counties in China are mainly located on the second Gradient Terrain of the Three Gradient Terrains in the country and are particularly concentrated in the Loess Plateau, Qinling-Daba Mountains, and Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau. These areas are also located near both sides of the traditional Hu Huanyong Population Line of China. Results also show that the complex conditions of the natural topography have a positive driving effect on the spatial distribution of the poverty-stricken counties. By contrast, non-poverty-stricken counties are mainly located in areas with good topographic conditions. A total of 70% of the poverty-stricken counties are characterized by severe topographic condition with an average slope gradient of over 10° calculated from the 90 m cell size DEM. However, only 32% of the non-poverty-stricken counties are characterized by severe topographic condition. In addition, 72% of the poverty-stricken counties have an average terrain relief of over 50 m in a local 3 × 3 cell size (270 m × 270 m), whereas non-poverty-stricken counties accounted for only 34%. Furthermore, the scale effect of the topographical feature derivation from DEM makes the actual topographic condition of the poverty-stricken counties even worse, and the land should be considerably difficult to cultivate. Finally, the primary industry seems to experience difficulty in addressing poverty in poverty-stricken counties. The sheep-flock effect of government-led industries that enter the poverty-stricken counties is expected to be an important policy direction for a balanced regional development. This study provides a reference to the driving force of the natural topographic conditions on the wealth accumulation among counties for a balanced and sustainable regional development.

The widening urbanization gap between the Three Northeast Provinces and the Yangtze River Delta under China’s economic reform from 1984 to 2014

ABSTRACTUrbanization has created a significant gap between the Three Northeast Provinces (TNP) and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) since China’s reform and opening-up. In this study, we explain this problem by employing an urban expansion index, spatial hierarchical clustering, the Zipf-PLE model, fractal theory, and time-series analysis. Statistical data on the built-up area, population, and gross domestic product were downloaded from the National Bureau of Statistics of China. The results revealed the following. (1) During the stage of the planned economy, as a result of the significant government investment in development, the urban built-up areas in the TNP and the YRD reached 1867 and 757 km2, respectively, in 1984. (2) During the stage of the socialist market economy, the urban built-up area of the YRD experienced rapid growth over the 30 years from 1984 to 2014 with a rate of increase of 668.8%, which was higher than that of the TNP (139.9%). In 2014, the urban built-up areas of the TNP and the YRD were 4479 and 5820 km2, respectively. (3) Locational advantages had significant effects on urban development after China’s economic reform. The coastal cities of the YRD had higher rates of increase of the built-up areas. By contrast, the border cities of the TNP had lower rates of increase. Finally, this paper finds that the socialist market economy exhibited more efficiency in promoting urban expansion and economic development. The results are significant for generating balanced and sustainable regional development strategies in the future.

Balanced Development for Provincial-Level Coordination and Higher Vocational Education

In the rapid development of Chinese higher vocational education, large gaps have appeared in the scale of development and resource generation among the provinces, among regions in the provinces, and among higher education institutions in the provinces. Balanced regional development and provincial-level coordination have become policy focal points, but a discussion of the relationship between the two has been lacking in the academic world. Based on 2009 data on vocational colleges in China, the quantitative analysis in this paper shows that there is a tension between the governance models of higher vocational education and balanced development of vocational colleges within provinces. Research findings show that school affiliation is related to the ability to attract public funding, appropriations for public schools are significantly higher than for private schools, and tuition for private schools is significantly higher than for public schools; school affiliation is related to output, and the new student registration rate and number of cooperating enterprises is higher for public schools than private schools; and there is a significant positive correlation between the ratio of prefecture-level city schools and the average number of cooperating enterprises for schools in a province, and a significant positive correlation between the ratio of private schools and the average tuition of schools in a province. This paper suggests that to achieve the dual objectives of balance and development, provincial-level governments should adjust their administrations and financing for higher vocational education and decentralize their authority to local governments, in order to build a diverse and flexible new model for higher vocational education governance.

A Study on the Integrated propulsion system construction of regional development projects by the Analysis of Experts' Perceptions : In the case of Chung-buk

The purpose of this study is preparing linkage stratege between the「Ordinance on Regional Development and Support in Chungcheongbuk Province」 and「Ordinance on Supporting Balanced Regional Development」 enacted by joint corporation「Regional Development Assistance Act」. In addition, it aims to suggest linkage plan of promotion methods and supporting system of three phase balanced development stratege business connection between Chungcheongbuk Regional Development Program advanced by「Regional Development Assistance Act」for improving performance of balanced development stratege project. The study is based on a study of the integration of regional development projects pursued by local and provincial laws and ordinances and has differentiation between preceding research. Furthermore, through awareness between professional and professional officials, minimize the problem of on-site application. The findings of the study will prove to be an important indicator for integration of other cities and provinces into the future by assessing the possibility of applying the possibility of applying the case through the case of Chungbuk Province. However, despite the numerous academic contribution contributions, they have the limitations of research. Research is a future study of the feasibility of a systematic and practical aspect analysis of the effectiveness of this issue, if the results of the study are not applicable, policy and the effectiveness of the effects analysis is not applicable in the field.

Key Aspects of a Balanced Regional Development of the Republic of Serbia

Abstract The main goal of the research presented in this paper is to point to the benefits of a balanced regional development, as well as the mechanism of its implementation, based on the analysis of the current situation relating to the regional development of the Republic of Serbia, which is characterised by the greatest regional disparities in Europe, that even show the tendency of further deepening. The importance of a consistent and comprehensive development strategy of the country that would include reindustrialisation and full employment policy as a means of initiating dynamic economic growth and achieving sustainable development of the national economy and its regions is emphasised. This position is justified, primarily, due to the fact that, despite its crucial importance, regional development has never been understood as an integral part of the overall socio-economic development, therefore, this issue, owning to a lack of institutional and systemic approach is constantly being marginalised. In the analysis of the key aspects of a balanced regional development in Serbia, based on the study of different theoretical views and practical experiences regarding this important social and economic development issue, the method of the analytical description was primarily used.

Performance Evaluation of the Balanced Regional Development Policy of the Past Governments: From the Park Jung-Hee to the Park Geun-Hye Government

Performance Evaluation of the Balanced Regional Development Policy of the Past Governments: From the Park Jung-Hee to the Park Geun-Hye Government

An Explorative Study on Mandatory CSR Spending with Reference to Section 135 of Companies Act, 2013

This paper tries to explore the present status of CSR spending mandated by section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 by NSE Nifty 200 companies by using simple percentage analysis. It is found that most of the selected companies are adhering to the CSR policy of allocating 2% of their average three years’ pretax profits. Overall an average of Rs. 6054.02 that is (1.86%) out of 2% limit has been spent; whereas, remaining Rs.1023.93 (0.31%) is kept unspent. Some companies like GAIL India Ltd. even spend more than 2% of their Average pretax profits and some companies had CSR amount unspent. The state wise classification, of CSR activities, showed most of the companies concentrated their CSR activities only on few developed States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu etc. showing region wise disparity in the implementation of CSR activities. Industry wise, analysis of CSR activities showed that electricity and manufacturing industries spent more than the actual CSR expenditure to be incurred. Whereas, other industries like financial service, mining, constructions and real estate, services (other than financial) left part of their CSR amount unspent. Manufacturing industries tops the contribution on a broad set of issues like education, health care and sanitization, sustainable livelihood, social causes and others. Out of NSE 200 companies, Reliance Industries Ltd. tops the list with highest CSR spending. Reliance Industries Ltd. had allocated had allocated 0.34% and 84% more than the two percent of CSR expenditure to be incurred as per the Companies Act, 2013. The study tries to put forward the need for the compulsory spending of the allocated CSR amount and also the proportionate distribution of CSR amount and activities among all states and union territories without sticking to the local areas where they operate. The paper suggests policy changes and amendment to the section 135 of the Companies Act in order to promote balanced regional growth and development throughout Indian States and Union territories.

RESEARCH ASPECTS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT

Overcoming of regional disproportions is connected with the concept of balance regional development. The characteristics and forms of disproportional regional development are investigated. Their importance for public policy is determined, it is oriented towards balanced regional development, it is emphasized that the role of regional administrations in management development of region. The dynamics to minimize regional differences or to eliminate its leads to a balanced state, and the tendency towards the development of regional differences deepens, broadens the unbalanced state of the region. Inconsistencies of an economic nature are due to differences in the quantity or quality of regional problems. Regional imbalances are a threat to the growth and strengthening of the country's economy. The definition and measurement of regional imbalances is a prerequisite for the use of economic and political tools that can help to minimize regional differences or eliminate its. Growing regional disparities require rapid further economic reforms and an obstacle to Ukraine's future economic growth. Regional disproportions lead to regional tensions, which can lead to popular discontent. Thus, in order to reduce regional disparities in the country, it is necessary to strengthen administrative management in disproportionate areas, to strengthen regional authorities. Further research needs a functional relationship between regional imbalances and national economic indicators. For the Black Sea region, one of the main reasons for the creation of a system for locating and evaluating regional differences is a system for locating regional differences approved by the Ukrainian government within the framework of the State Strategy for Regional Development for the period up to 2020.

The Creative Sector in Rural Areas in the Policy of Balanced Regional Development

Territorially oriented development policy (place-based approach ) is a new model, addressed mainly to the regions NUTS 1 and NUTS 2 in EU countries, including Poland. In building of the competitive advantage, the regions make use of the so-called smart specialization, and creative sector is one of the components. The territorial capital is being built primarily based on existing development potentials of the cities. Building territorial cohesion, based on regional development requires a long-term strategy, because it is a complex process and burdened with a certain risk. The Rural Manifesto, adopted in 2015 by the European Rural Parliament, pointed to the need to redefine the objectives of EU policy on development of regions due to the unbalanced treatment of rural areas compared to cities. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the lack of balancing in regional development both in the assumptions of the program, and operational activities. Exploiting the potential of the creative sector in rural areas is conditioned by the change of awareness of regional decision-makers, undertaking research, the activities aimed at the development, and by the support, also in an international context. Cited cases: the of Puszcza Mariańska Commune and the County Leitrim in the West of Ireland are examples of different approaches to the development of the creative sector in rural areas.

Spatial Disparities, Transport Infrastructure, and Decentralization Policy in the Delhi Region

AbstractSpatial-development policies in India have aimed to achieve balanced regional development. However, these attempts have had limited success, as development is still concentrated in certain ...

Demographic endangerment of the rural settlements of Rogozna mountain and possibilities for their revitalization

The study of the rural areas of Serbia is in the narrowest sphere of interest of the economic policy makers, with the aim of creating more balanced regional development. The economic underdevelopment of rural areas is a burden on the state as a whole, and one of the most important development issue. Based on the results of the 2002 and 2011 census, it can be concluded that the number of inhabitants in Serbia is reduced by 30,000 annually. Particularly worrying is the fact that the balance between rural and urban areas has been disturbed, at the expense of rural areas. The data show that out of 4,709 villages in Serbia, 700 of them have no demographic future. Abandoned houses, collapsed cooperative homes, shops, empty schools, closed ambulances - all of these are indicators of the seriousness of the problems that the mountain villages of Serbia, and therefore Rogozne, are facing. The situation in rural areas in Serbia may be best illustrated by the following: 1,200 villages are in a phase of disappearance, 50,000 houses are empty, and in another 150,000 no one currently lives, more than 1000 villages have fewer than 100 inhabitants. However, the most important problem is the average age of people living in the villages of Serbia - 43.6 years, while the average age of citizens in cities is 41.3 years. The residents of rural areas on Rogozna mountain consider that, should the economic situation improve, it should encourage positive demographic changes in these villages. This is only possible through ensuring a secure existence and sustainable agricultaral production (secure placement of agricultural products).

Regional disparity analysis of business conditions: The case of Serbia

Important drivers of economic growth and job creation are entrepreneurship and creation of an appropriate business environment, both on a national and local economy level. Analyzing business conditions, different factors are usually identified within internal and external groups of factors. But, both of those groups could also be analyzed in the light of regional differences and specificities. Bearing in mind the need to develop business climate in Serbia so that it could make economic and social recovery, as well as the need for its coherent and balanced regional development, the main idea of this paper was to research regional disparities in Serbia regarding the factors of external environment that create different conditions for business development, primarily for SMEs development. Different economic, demographic and social factors were taken into consideration by using a special methodology - Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The composite index, Regional Development Index (RDI), was created in order to identify main disparities within the existing economic counties in Serbia. The analysis showed the expected results in most of the analyzed counties (north - south development axis), but in some cases there were certain deviations (parts in the east of Vojvodina region and in Central Serbia).