The regional development field includes studies that examine the economic, cultural, and political processes underlying regional growth. It is a process of change that shapes not only a region’s physical and socioeconomic landscape but also the nature of relationships within it. This process can be influenced by many factors, including natural disasters, hazards, climate change, the loss of an important industry, population shifts, and government policies. Regional development professionals work to better prepare their regions for such challenges and also help them recover from them in a timely and cost-effective manner.
A central challenge in the literature on regional development is how to address undesirable interregional welfare disparities. This question usually has an economic dimension and asks about the creation of economies of scope and scale based on endogenous regional assets. It is a difficult task given the varying regional contexts and the inherent complexities in resource mobilisation and management.
The study of language and power relations is a promising research direction for the development of novel methods to analyse these issues. In particular, narratives can reveal different and skewed power relationships even when the domination is silent. This is particularly true if the narratives are used to reflect on different regional development strategies and their implications.
Regional development is a complex and ongoing process that requires an extensive range of skills and knowledge to be effective. Fortunately, there are organizations made up of countries that can provide support for regions to develop their capacities and solve issues like the need for clean energy sources, job creation, and housing solutions.