Regions Matter: Economic Recovery, Innovation and Sustainable Growth: Edition 2009

do some regions grow faster than others, and in ways that do not always conform to economic theory? This is a central issue in todays economic climate, when policy makers are looking for ways to stimulate new and sustainable growth. OECD work suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to regional growth policy. Rather, regions grow in very varied ways and the simple concentration of resources in a place is not sufficient for long-term growth. This report draws on OECD analysis of regional data (including where growth happens, country-by-country), policy reviews and case studies. It argues that it is how investments are made, regional assets used and synergies exploited that can make the difference. Public investment should prioritise longer-term impacts on productivity growth and combine measures in an integrated way. This suggests an important role for regional policies in shaping growth and economic recovery policies, but also challenges policy makers to implement policy reforms.Table of Content :AcronymsIntroductionSummary of Key Policy MessagesChapter 1. Understanding and Explaining Regional GrowthChapter 2. A More Effective Approach to Promoting Sustainable Regional GrowthChapter 3. Policy Implementation and GovernanceChapter 4. Where Growth Happens: Patterns of Regional Growth -;Country ;Country- Australia; - Austria; - Belgium- Canada- Czech Republic - Denmark - Finland; - France- Germany- Greece- Hungary- Ireland - Italy Japan- Korea; - Mexico - The Netherlands - Norway - Poland - Portugal- Slovak Republic- Spain - Sweden- Switzerland - Turkey - United Kingdom - United States Foreword......Page 5 Acknowledgements......Page 6 Table of contents......Page 7 Acronyms......Page 11 Introduction......Page 13 Summary of Key Policy Messages......Page 16 Introduction and key policy messages......Page 19 Persistent disparities suggest unused potential for growth in developed countries......Page 20 Concentration drives growth, but private benefits can bring societal costs......Page 29 Growth in “unexpected” places makes a big contribution to national prosperity......Page 34 Why do some regions grow faster than others? Evidence from a regional growth model......Page 43 Conclusion......Page 48 Bibliography......Page 50 Introduction and key policy messages......Page 51 Regional policies have evolved significantly in recent years......Page 52 Investment in infrastructure is still prominent, but is now more integrated......Page 57 Investing in and retaining human capital, without restricting mobility......Page 62 New forms of innovation emphasise proximity, in spite of globalisation......Page 65 Sustainable regional development: a new role for spatial planning......Page 81 Rural development policy’s new paradigm......Page 84 “Greening” urban growth policies......Page 92 Better harnessing rural-urban linkages......Page 98 Conclusion......Page 103 Bibliography......Page 106 Introduction and key policy messages......Page 109 Regional development depends on efficient governance......Page 110 Accountable and credible leadership: a keystone of good governance......Page 114 What financial resources support regional development?......Page 118 Investing strategically: the role of contracts for regional development......Page 123 Identifying an efficient scale for supplying local public goods and services......Page 127 Providing incentives to improve performance and build capacity......Page 135 Conclusion......Page 141 Bibliography......Page 142 Where Growth Happens: Patterns of Regional Growth – Country By Country......Page 145 Australia......Page 146 Austria......Page 148 Belgium......Page 150 Canada......Page 152 Czech Republic......Page 154 Denmark......Page 156 Finland......Page 158 France......Page 160 Germany......Page 162 Greece......Page 164 Hungary......Page 166 Ireland......Page 168 Italy......Page 170 Japan......Page 172 Korea......Page 174 Mexico......Page 176 The Netherlands......Page 178 Norway......Page 180 Poland......Page 182 Portugal......Page 184 Slovak Republic......Page 186 Spain......Page 188 Sweden......Page 190 Switzerland......Page 192 Turkey......Page 194 United Kingdom......Page 196 United States......Page 198 Why Do Some Regions Grow Faster Than Others, And In Ways That Do Not Always Conform To Economic Theory? This Is A Central Issue In Today’s Economic Climate, When Policy Makers Are Looking For Ways To Stimulate New And Sustainable Growth. Oecd Work Suggests That There Is No One-size-fits-all Answer To Regional Growth Policy. Rather, Regions Grow In Very Varied Ways And The Simple Concentration Of Resources In A Place Is Not Sufficient For Long-term Growth. This Report Draws On Oecd Analysis Of Regional Data (including Where Growth Happens, Country-by-country), Policy Reviews And Case Studies. It Argues That It Is How Investments Are Made, Regional Assets Used And Synergies Exploited That Can Make The Difference. Public Investment Should Prioritise Longer-term Impacts On Productivity Growth And Combine Measures In An Integrated Way. This Suggests An Important Role For Regional Policies In Shaping Growth And Economic Recovery Policies, But Also Challenges Policy Makers To Implement Policy Reforms. Acronyms -- Introduction -- Summary Of Key Policy Messages -- Understanding And Explaining Regional Growth -- A More Effective Approach To Promoting Sustainable Regional Growth -- Policy Implementation And Governance -- Australia -- Austria -- Belgium -- Canada -- Czech Republic -- Denmark -- Finland -- France -- Germany -- Greece -- Hungary -- Ireland -- Italy -- Japan -- Korea -- Mexico -- The Netherlands -- Norway -- Poland -- Portugal -- Slovak Republic -- Spain -- Sweden -- Switzerland -- Turkey -- United Kingdom -- United States. Written By Claire Charbit ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References. Why do some regions grow faster than others, and in ways that do not always conform to economic theory? This is a central issue in today's economic climate, when policy makers are looking for ways to stimulate new and sustainable growth. OECD work suggests that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to regional growth policy. Rather, regions grow in very varied ways and the simple concentration of resources in a place is not sufficient for long-term growth. This report draws on OECD analysis of regional data (including where growth happens, country-by-country), policy reviews and case studies. It argues that it is how investments are made, regional assets used and synergies exploited that can make the difference. Public investment should prioritize longer-term impacts on productivity growth and combine measures in an integrated way. This suggests an important role for regional policies in shaping growth and economic recovery policies, but also challenges policy makers to implement policy reforms.--Publisher's description