Contributions to Regional Science – serie

This book offers readers a spatial understanding of happiness and subjective well-being. By integrating spatial and geostatistical methods, it sheds new light on the spatial and geographical aspects of subjective well-being. Geographical analysis allows us to measure spatial and regional discrepancies in subjective well-being and to identify heterogeneous profiles in terms of social, economic and environmental patterns. Consequently, the papers gathered here address various topics concerning the spatial aspects of subjective well-being, including social injustice, age, new urban spaces, and tourism. The book proposes a multidisciplinary approach and is intended for scholars and students in the fields of geography, economics and the spatial sciences. By examining several critical dimensions of happiness and subjective well-being, it enriches the complexity of regional decision-making on the path toward happier and more liveable societies.

This book offers readers a spatial understanding of happiness and subjective well-being. By integrating spatial and geostatistical methods, it sheds new light on the spatial and geographical aspects of subjective well-being. Geographical analysis allows us to measure spatial and regional discrepancies in subjective well-being and to identify heterogeneous profiles in terms of social, economic and environmental patterns. Consequently, the papers gathered here address various topics concerning the spatial aspects of subjective well-being, including social injustice, age, new urban spaces, and tourism. The book proposes a multidisciplinary approach and is intended for scholars and students in the fields of geography, economics and the spatial sciences. By examining several critical dimensions of happiness and subjective well-being, it enriches the complexity of regional decision-making on the path toward happier and more liveable societies.

This book explores the role of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) as drivers of local economic development. More specifically, it builds on two novel perspectives in order to interpret the phenomenon. First, despite the general recognition that CCIs are innovative economic actors, their creative output is heterogeneous, as CCIs consist of extremely diverse industries, and the concept of innovation differs from sector to sector. Second, CCIs’ creativity is locally rooted, as the context provides innovative inputs for the development of creative ideas, binding creativity with well-established theories of the regional innovation literature. The book explores these new perspectives through a novel database on CCIs’ innovation at a fine industrial and regional scale.Building on these two ideas, the book is subdivided into three parts. In the first, a novel definition of creativity in CCIs is developed in which its heterogeneity and place-based nature are at the core. In turn, the second part addresses the phenomenon of localization choices in CCIs, highlighting their heterogeneous innovativeness and the filière which they belong to as key dimensions for the analysis. In the third part, the impact of CCIs on economic growth is explored. This book offers new evidence on the conditions under which CCIs cluster in space and stimulate development. It appeals to scholars in regional science, cultural economics and related fields, as well as policymakers and practitioners working in the cultural and creative industries.

This book explores the role of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) as drivers of local economic development. More specifically, it builds on two novel perspectives in order to interpret the phenomenon. First, despite the general recognition that CCIs are innovative economic actors, their creative output is heterogeneous, as CCIs consist of extremely diverse industries, and the concept of innovation differs from sector to sector. Second, CCIs’ creativity is locally rooted, as the context provides innovative inputs for the development of creative ideas, binding creativity with well-established theories of the regional innovation literature. The book explores these new perspectives through a novel database on CCIs’ innovation at a fine industrial and regional scale.Building on these two ideas, the book is subdivided into three parts. In the first, a novel definition of creativity in CCIs is developed in which its heterogeneity and place-based nature are at the core. In turn, the second part addresses the phenomenon of localization choices in CCIs, highlighting their heterogeneous innovativeness and the filière which they belong to as key dimensions for the analysis. In the third part, the impact of CCIs on economic growth is explored. This book offers new evidence on the conditions under which CCIs cluster in space and stimulate development. It appeals to scholars in regional science, cultural economics and related fields, as well as policymakers and practitioners working in the cultural and creative industries.

The book explores the uneven spatial distribution of territory resources and its implication for the sustainable development of regions and cities. The authors analyze the features of the localization of assets, paying attention to both the manifested factors and the conditions that determine the specificity of the current spatial organization. On the basis of multivariate analysis, gravity models, clustering method, as well as the evaluation of concentration parameters, the authors propose various approaches to systematize territorial units, paying special attention to the peculiarities of their economic structure, resource diffusion barriers, and quality of life parameters. The obtained results indicate the need for a differentiated approach in the choice of guidelines for the transformation of the socio-economic space, allowing the researchers to propose various transformation models for differing regions. Thus, this book presents spatial organization models for different regional economies, highlighting various approaches to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and reducing inequality.The book seeks to balance the benefits of polarized development with the need to avoid significant interregional disparities. At the same time, the book offers various solutions for differentiating territories, distinguishing different spatial elements, and determining the most appropriate transformation options. The results obtained may be of interest to scholars in regional and spatial science as well as to professionals in the field of territorial development management.

The book explores the uneven spatial distribution of territory resources and its implication for the sustainable development of regions and cities. The authors analyze the features of the localization of assets, paying attention to both the manifested factors and the conditions that determine the specificity of the current spatial organization. On the basis of multivariate analysis, gravity models, clustering method, as well as the evaluation of concentration parameters, the authors propose various approaches to systematize territorial units, paying special attention to the peculiarities of their economic structure, resource diffusion barriers, and quality of life parameters. The obtained results indicate the need for a differentiated approach in the choice of guidelines for the transformation of the socio-economic space, allowing the researchers to propose various transformation models for differing regions. Thus, this book presents spatial organization models for different regional economies, highlighting various approaches to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and reducing inequality.The book seeks to balance the benefits of polarized development with the need to avoid significant interregional disparities. At the same time, the book offers various solutions for differentiating territories, distinguishing different spatial elements, and determining the most appropriate transformation options. The results obtained may be of interest to scholars in regional and spatial science as well as to professionals in the field of territorial development management.

This book develops spatial interaction models for the analysis of human interaction within space, in terms of both accessibility and land use. Presenting case studies on the Azores and Morocco, it covers applications in various regions of Europe and Africa. The respective models simulate land use, employment, households, commuting and shopping movements and land values, employment distribution for basic activities, changes in accessibility, and changes in land suitability due to climate change.This book will appeal to scholars and students of regional and spatial science, ecological economics, and agricultural economics, as well as to spatial planners and practitioners dealing with issues of spatial planning to address such problems as unsustainable land use, adaptation to climate change, desertification of rural areas heavily dependent on land use, and the impacts of external shocks on land and property values.

This book develops spatial interaction models for the analysis of human interaction within space, in terms of both accessibility and land use. Presenting case studies on the Azores and Morocco, it covers applications in various regions of Europe and Africa. The respective models simulate land use, employment, households, commuting and shopping movements and land values, employment distribution for basic activities, changes in accessibility, and changes in land suitability due to climate change.This book will appeal to scholars and students of regional and spatial science, ecological economics, and agricultural economics, as well as to spatial planners and practitioners dealing with issues of spatial planning to address such problems as unsustainable land use, adaptation to climate change, desertification of rural areas heavily dependent on land use, and the impacts of external shocks on land and property values.

This book investigates the multifaceted relationships between knowledge structures, technology, geography, and regional science. This includes a scholarly exploration of the role of geographical proximity in knowledge structures (spatial spillovers), the transformative potential of the metaverse in knowledge management, and the historical and cultural influences on modern knowledge ecosystems. It further scrutinizes the impact of technology on knowledge distribution, the guiding role of institutions and organizations in knowledge societies, and the value of cultural diversity for cross-cultural knowledge exchange. Addressing complex ethical, privacy, and accessibility challenges, the book concludes by offering strategic insights for creating sustainable knowledge ecosystems, making it an invaluable resource for researchers and professionals in the intersecting domains of technology, geography, regional science, and beyond.

This book investigates the multifaceted relationships between knowledge structures, technology, geography, and regional science. This includes a scholarly exploration of the role of geographical proximity in knowledge structures (spatial spillovers), the transformative potential of the metaverse in knowledge management, and the historical and cultural influences on modern knowledge ecosystems. It further scrutinizes the impact of technology on knowledge distribution, the guiding role of institutions and organizations in knowledge societies, and the value of cultural diversity for cross-cultural knowledge exchange. Addressing complex ethical, privacy, and accessibility challenges, the book concludes by offering strategic insights for creating sustainable knowledge ecosystems, making it an invaluable resource for researchers and professionals in the intersecting domains of technology, geography, regional science, and beyond.

This book explores the enduring significance of sacred landscapes in an increasingly globalized world, with a particular focus on the Christian sacred landscape and its connection to pilgrimage and rituals. Drawing on the latest research, it examines the interplay between global societal changes and historical traditions, offering a rich analysis of how sacred spaces shape and reflect cultural and social identities.Through a multidisciplinary lens encompassing cultural geography, anthropology, sociology of tourism, and religious geography, the book illuminates the role of pilgrimage in fostering community identity and preserving historical continuity. By comparing sacred sites and practices across diverse cultural contexts, it provides readers with a deeper understanding of their universal and localized meanings.This work also offers a comprehensive historical perspective, tracing the evolution of sacred landscapes over time and across regions. Accessible and thought-provoking, it invites readers from various disciplines to engage with the cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions of these powerful spaces.

This book explores the enduring significance of sacred landscapes in an increasingly globalized world, with a particular focus on the Christian sacred landscape and its connection to pilgrimage and rituals. Drawing on the latest research, it examines the interplay between global societal changes and historical traditions, offering a rich analysis of how sacred spaces shape and reflect cultural and social identities.Through a multidisciplinary lens encompassing cultural geography, anthropology, sociology of tourism, and religious geography, the book illuminates the role of pilgrimage in fostering community identity and preserving historical continuity. By comparing sacred sites and practices across diverse cultural contexts, it provides readers with a deeper understanding of their universal and localized meanings.This work also offers a comprehensive historical perspective, tracing the evolution of sacred landscapes over time and across regions. Accessible and thought-provoking, it invites readers from various disciplines to engage with the cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions of these powerful spaces.

This book comprehensively explores the design and use of railway systems through theoretical, spatial, economic, and regional lenses. Bridging disciplines such as geography, economics, and planning, it examines railway infrastructure's role in shaping regional development, urbanisation, and connectivity. Featuring interdisciplinary case studies from diverse global contexts, the book integrates historical perspectives with forward-looking analyses to address contemporary challenges in transport planning and policy. It serves as an essential resource for graduate students, researchers, and practitioners seeking to understand the dynamic interplay between railways, spatial organisation, and economic growth.

This book takes a Marxist perspective to explore the dynamics of space. By employing dialectical materialist logic, it explains how a heterogeneous spatial configuration emerges through the dialectical process to transcend the contradiction generated by the subsumption (incorporation) of an sich pristine spaces into society, with a particular focus on the context of capitalism. The key concept here is 'subsumption', as presented by Marx in 'The Results of the Immediate Process of Production'.  This book is first of its kind that thought-provokingly demonstrates the dialectical logic of the production of space through the application of Marxist logic of subsumption. It succinctly argues that heterogeneous spatial configurations are produced through the society's effort to transcend these contradictions, or the subsumption of space, which transforms pristine space subsumed into a one-point society in formal terms toward a heterogeneous spatial configuration, resulting in an und für sich produced space or space subsumed in real terms. The book also suggests the role of the produced space in potential utilization of space in social struggles. Based on this conceptual framework, this book discusses the built environment, the space embedded in people's minds, and the effects of the capitalist business cycle on space. Ultimately, it presents a compelling case for activists to harness the space produced in their social struggles.