TRACK 14: Responsible Economics, Economic Policies and Public Finance of Urban and Regional Interest

Co-chairs: Michael Getzner, Francesco Musco

The globalizing economy and increasing capital flows makes local and regional economic development volatile, with significant social consequences. The economic power of local and regional governments often cannot compete with big private companies. In addition, regions and cities are in a competitive situation with respect to the location of enterprises and (international) institutions. Can the big companies accept their own part of responsibility related to place and space? Is there a different cooperative model among cities and regions to avoid unnecessary and distorting competition, and a “race to the bottom” regarding social and environmental standards? What is the limit for inter-governmental competition for private investments? What are the planning approaches addressing the above issues? How is the public sector, especially planning, limited to or “locked-in” in existing budgetary policies and what can public finance offer for a stable, sustainable, and more resilient economic and social development? How do sustainable and resilient local and regional economic and public finance policies look like? Both theoretical and empirical papers are welcome to explore these issues.