Critically reviewing major factors that disrupt local and regional development, Mustafa Dinc provides a transparent interpretation of the circular and cumulative relationship between these disruptions and development, highlighting ways to help interrupt this cycle. The book emphasizes the role and responsibility of individuals in the development process by exploring a humanist approach to local and regional development. Chapters analyse the impacts of information and technological revolutions, globalization, conflict and migration, the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation, and the deterioration of traditional human values on local and regional development. Moving away from macro-perspectives, this timely book looks at how technology, competition and economic integration over the past few decades have created undeniable social, political, economic and environmental problems for every country, exploring how these may harm the political and social fabric of society to an irreparable point, unless effective action is taken. Written in an accessible style, this is an important read for development studies scholars, as well as economics and sociology scholars focusing on development. It will also benefit local and regional policy-makers needing a more in-depth understanding of the issues facing development in our modern world.

In this easy-to-follow, one-stop reference, Dinc discusses a new and dynamic endogenous regional development approach that delves deeply into a variety of topics: the globalization process and its impact on local and regional economies; theoretical evolution of economic development; the role of governance; and institutions and local leadership in the development process. The book reviews major traditional local and regional development theories from their origins and early applications as well as regional agglomerations and industrial clusters. It also introduces conflict management procedures into the regional development process and provides a regional decision support framework that can be used for informed development policymaking. Another advantage of this book is its discussion of basic analytical tools and the inclusion of a template in an easy-to-use MS Excel spreadsheet application. Though the book follows a logical narrative, each chapter can be read individually without a loss of meaning, making it perfect for classrooms. Introduction to Regional Economic Development will prove to be an invaluable resource for teachers and students of regional science, regional development, and planning, as well as regional and local development practitioners, regional development agency staff, and local government officials.

In this easy-to-follow, one-stop reference, Dinc discusses a new and dynamic endogenous regional development approach that delves deeply into a variety of topics: the globalization process and its impact on local and regional economies; theoretical evolution of economic development; the role of governance; and institutions and local leadership in the development process. The book reviews major traditional local and regional development theories from their origins and early applications as well as regional agglomerations and industrial clusters. It also introduces conflict management procedures into the regional development process and provides a regional decision support framework that can be used for informed development policymaking. Another advantage of this book is its discussion of basic analytical tools and the inclusion of a template in an easy-to-use MS Excel spreadsheet application. Though the book follows a logical narrative, each chapter can be read individually without a loss of meaning, making it perfect for classrooms. Introduction to Regional Economic Development will prove to be an invaluable resource for teachers and students of regional science, regional development, and planning, as well as regional and local development practitioners, regional development agency staff, and local government officials.