Regional development is a concept with a wide scope covering various economic, social and cultural aspects in which geography plays a crucial role. Consequently, it is also an area of study and discussion involving economists, sociologists, historians, political scientists and many other academic disciplines.
A large number of methodologies have been developed to understand regional development issues. They are mostly based on identifying regional development factors and their relationships, exploring the balance between development and convergence (e.g., a convergence, b convergence and club convergence), and clarifying the bottlenecks and improvement directions of regional development.
Another methodology, drawing on the work of scholars such as Gramsci and Bourdieu, focuses on the dialectical confrontation of different interests in the context of regional development processes. It suggests that there are invisible forms of power and domination in regional development, and it is important to study them.
Lastly, sustainability is becoming an important factor in regional development, as local governments and firms realize the need to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship. Specifically, they try to find ways to adapt their business models and strategies to new environmental challenges, such as climate change, resource constraints, population fluctuations, economic disruptions or competition from other regions.
These methodologies help to better predict and respond to the risks and opportunities posed by economic, environmental and social changes. They also provide insights into possible future scenarios and support regional planning efforts, so that communities can create more resilient economies.