Spatial Scenarios in a Global Perspective

Book excerpt: 'The rise of endogenous growth thinking has produced an understanding that the national and in fact the global economy depends generally on supply side initiatives that for the most part are driven at the local regional level. Focusing endogenous forces at the regional level has become elemental in our thinking about development and competitiveness at all levels. This book demonstrates that building and testing "local after-crisis scenarios" before crises occur informs policy and leadership at the critical flex points along the regional development horizon.' Roger Stough, George Mason University, US This up-to-date and insightful book presents post-crisis scenarios for European regions with new methodologies and tools to support quantitative assessment and foresight. The aim is to develop regional forecasting methodologies and tools, appropriate to the regional-local scale but consistent with a general EU-wide approach. This effort is particularly important in a period of economic crisis, as an economic downturn generates high uncertainty about the future of economic systems, and consequently will determine the new winners and losers in a globalized world. An interesting picture of diverse and alternative post-crisis territorial development paths is provided for a case study of the Latin Arc countries (Spain, France and Italy) and the Latin Arc Provinces Network, running along the Western Mediterranean coast. Policy suggestions for the case study area are then built on the scenario results. Spatial Scenarios in a Global Perspective will strongly appeal to regional economists, economic geographers and policy makers as well as students in regional economics, geography and international business.