Regional development involves a range of issues, from clean energy to job creation, from sustainable tourism to the provision of basic necessities such as food and water. In addition, regional development also seeks to promote local business and innovation in a way that can increase the overall efficiency of the economy. It has thus attracted the attention of a broad range of scholars, including geographers, economists, sociologists, and political scientists.
One of the most intriguing aspects of regional development is that, as its name suggests, it includes both economic and noneconomic factors. While economic factors like productivity, efficiency, and growth are usually the focus of research, a more holistic understanding of regional development needs to incorporate other noneconomic elements as well.
For example, regional development studies need to take into account the role of power relationships in the process of value capture and distribution. Some scholars have argued that inequalities within and between regions are often a result of unbalanced power relations, even when the form of domination is invisible. This argument, influenced by scholars such as Gramsci, Foucault, and Bourdieu, provides an important starting point for analysing regional development from a noneconomic perspective.
Similarly, it is essential to recognise the role of institutional environments and policies in shaping regional development trajectories. Although these institutions are usually a source of legitimacy and authority, they may not be able to address all issues or achieve all desired outcomes. In fact, the design of institutions and their policies is an ongoing process shaped by changing circumstances, competing priorities, and different stakeholder groups.
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