The first signs of a slowdown in residential address changing were identified towards the end of the last century, starting in the USA, as is so often the case with social trends and then being found to be particularly marked across the rest of the New World. But other countries, including the UK, have not […]
The “advantage of backwardness”—the notion that low-income countries can grow faster by borrowing and adapting existing technology—has long been central to the theory of economic convergence. However, transition countries seeking European Union (EU) membership have been lagging behind. Despite some progress, the gap between them and the EU remains substantial. Why have these countries struggled […]
The Regional Studies Association (RSA) Annual Conference 2025, held in Porto from May 6 to 9, brought together nearly 900 scholars, marking the largest gathering in RSA history. The event showcased diverse, cutting-edge research that is shaping the future of regional development, innovation systems, spatial justice, and policy governance. Among the many contributors, researchers affiliated […]
Clusters are geographically concentrated areas of activity around a certain industry. The central question for modern cluster theory from the perspective of industry dynamics is why firms co-locate in the same space. The classic example is Silicon Valley, where multiple IT companies compete side by side, amidst some of the highest costs in the world. […]
In a world grappling with pressing challenges like economic volatility, social inequality, and climate change, traditional development strategies, largely focused on economic growth, often fall short. As these issues intensify, there is a growing need to explore alternative solutions that embrace inclusion and sustainability. One promising avenue is territorial development, a concept that has long […]
The following piece is a brief extract from a more comprehensive study on the impact of two trends in the context of Cohesion Policy: hyper-Lisbonisation and re-nationalisation. The article investigates how these trends are intertwined with the reiterative resort to employing Cohesion Policies funds outside of their original objectives and legal provisions, particularly to counterbalance […]
Incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, or so-called third places are places dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, and they have proliferated across regions in recent years. They are designed to give entrepreneurs access to a wide range of resources to help them develop a project or their business. These places can be specialized in an activity (e.g., tech, […]
The voting behaviour in Nigeria has been attributed to many factors, such as clientelism, vote buying, party identification, the performance of the government, and ethnicity. Most of these studies have been done at a macro level. There were limited studies done on the rural dwellers. According to the World Population Review (2024), the Nigeria population […]
The concept of ‘entrepreneurial ecosystem’ is gaining popularity in regional studies. Under this label, we find various conditions and policies that either support or inhibit local entrepreneurship, especially its most dynamic variety – innovative and growth-oriented new firms. In our ongoing research, we ask if the city ecosystem characteristics that support dynamic entrepreneurship are consistent […]
Environmental politics face undeniable challenges. Despite decades of international agreements, key targets like emission reductions and biodiversity conservation remain unmet. With six of seven Earth-system boundaries transgressed and societal resistance growing over energy security and rising living costs, the dominant approach is failing. A shift toward “eco-social” politics is urgently needed. The Limits of Environmental […]
Traditional urban design education often relies on theoretical lectures and isolated projects, which can fall short of preparing students for the complexities of creating sustainable, inclusive cities. Recognizing this gap, Dr. Nancy M. Abdel-Moneim (Associate Professor at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, Smart Village Campus) and Dr. Mennatullah Hendawy (representing the Center for […]
Kantha, a traditional embroidered quilt from Bengal (now divided between Bangladesh and West Bengal, India), historically represented women’s domestic artistry through distinctive running stitches and colored motifs on layered muslin garments. There is a growing demand for commercial Kantha textiles in conditions of the ‘market,’ driven primarily by NGO setups (Modak, 2021). These ‘marketable Kanthas‘ […]
“In the mining sector, women (are not allowed) in the mining fields because you are a bad omen, a taboo…you are told you cannot go close to the oil field because if you go there when they are drilling the oil might disappear or you might cause a drill leak…” (Female, Academic, 2018) African land […]
I recently read an article on the SDG goal of zero hunger among nations. It made me realize that after the pandemic, people were able to have control over their consumption to ensure that everyone in the family was fed correctly. It can be challenging for those from a less privileged community to fairly divide […]
The agricultural sector is entering an “age of disruption” (Deloitte, 2015). Advances in technology, like robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), are reshaping farm work and rural development (RBC, 2019; The Economist, 2016). Agricultural technology (AgTech) adoption is viewed as critical in solving global challenges such as feeding a growing world population, responding to the impacts […]
The Government of Canada claims that existing Canadian mining practices are global models for responsible and sustainable mining. But is this the reality in local mining communities in underdeveloped nations? Canadian Mining Companies and Corporate Negligence Canada is commonly known for its diplomacy. Yet not many know that Canada is the world’s global mining […]