OPPORTUNITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF REGIONAL AUTHORITIES’ USE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION TOOLS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Galina Yakovlevna BELYAKOVA

Dr. habil. in Economics, Professor, Institute of Economics, Management and Nature Management, Siberian Federal University

vorobieva.t.n@yandex.ru

Tatyana Nikolaevna VOROBYEVA

Ph.D. Candidate (Economics), Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology, Auditor of the Accounting Chamber of the Krasnoyarsk Krai

vorobieva.t.n@yandex.ru

Abstract

The article outlines the authors’ understanding of the formulation of the regional economic policy. Within the framework of the research, the authors examine regional authorities’ willingness to successfully implement the strategic goals of economic development. The methodological basis of the systematic, logical, and comparative analysis allows examining the opportunities and limitations of regional authorities’ influence on the development of the regional economy. The article highlights the need for improving the existing instruments of public administration (state regulation) that can contribute to the development of the economy. In this regard, the authors emphasize the problem of defining sectoral and consolidated registers of public authorities’ regulatory competencies involved in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and the formation of the state regulatory policy. The practical significance of the article is related to the possibility of using the research results to enhance regional authorities’ capabilities to influence the development of the economy.

Keywords: public administration instruments; regional economic development; public administration effectiveness

JEL classification: R58, R1, R5, R11, O1, O2, H83, H70
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SPATIAL PLANNING FOR URBAN RESILIENCE. ASSESSING CURRENT PROSPECTS THOUGH A MULTILEVEL APPROACH AND A USE CASE IN NORTHERN GREECE

Margarita ANGELIDOU

Dr. Architect-Urban Planner, School of Spatial Planning and Development Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

mangel@auth.gr

Christina BALLA

Dipl. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

chrimpal@civil.auth.gr

Anna MANOUSARIDOU

Dipl. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

annamanous@civil.auth.gr

Stylianos MARMELOUDIS

Dipl. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

marmelou@civil.auth.gr

Dimitrios NALMPANTIS

Dr. Civil Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

dnalba@civil.auth.gr

Abstract

This paper presents a part of ongoing research into the resilience potential of the western coastal front of Thessaloniki, a medium sized city in northern Greece. It aims to assess whether and to what extent the western coastal front of Thessaloniki, Greece, currently a partially developed area, features elements of resilience and what opportunities can be harnessed to this end. We set out by describing the concept of ‘urban resilience’ drawing upon recently published literature. As primary principles of resilience-driven development, we identify (i) the existence of resilience-focused spatial planning attributes (redundancy, modularity, buffering, connectivity, existence of legally binding land-use or zoning plans) (ii) the presence of a highly adaptive urban spatial management mix, (iii) reflectiveness and the ability to learn from past experience and resilience challenges and (iv) civic engagement, largely facilitated by means of smart city applications. We then shift our focus to the characteristics of the study area. In order to investigate the extent to which the identified from the literature factors affecting urban resilience apply in this area, a profiling of the study area is made, followed by an in-depth analysis of whether and how the identified principles of resilience-driven development are realized through the current urban, regional, transportation and environmental planning and management frameworks applicable to the area. We close with highlighting specific aspects of resilience that call for urgent attention and by making comments and recommendations regarding policy integration needs.

Keywords: Urban, Regional, Transport, Environment, Planning, Management

JEL classification: R00, R1, R4, R5, R11, R14, R19, R40, R49, R52, R58
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PATTERNS OF SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT: EVIDENCE FROM RUSSIA

Veronika MASLIKHINA

Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor of  Department of Management and Law, Volga State University of Technology, Yoshkar-Ola, Russia

Maslikhina_nika@mail.ru

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to analyze the trends of spatial inequality in Russia in 1994-2015 based on the convergence concepts. Russia faced the problem of inter-regional inequality as well as most countries. The situation is aggravated by the external economic and domestic factors in recent years. The fall in energy prices and Western sanctions had a negative impact on the country’s economic development. Russia is compelled to take into account geopolitical interests in the implementation regional policies in some regions (the Far East, the Crimea, the Kaliningrad region, the republics of the North Caucasus, the Arctic). Many regional budgets have budget deficit, highly debt load. They optimize spending on the social sphere and reduce investments in the real economy. Russia is emerging from the crisis despite the difficult situation. A review of the theoretical positions of the four types of convergence concepts (σ-, β-, γ-, ρ-convergence) was made. The spatial inequality evaluation was carried out on the basis of σ-convergence and absolute β-convergence concepts. The Williamson coefficient, the Hoover index, the Theil index and the Atkinson index were used to analyze spatial inequality based on the σ-concept. Differentiation has increased over the analyzed period, but gap decreased after 2005. The  convergence speed  is 1.79% in Russia. Regions with a low initial level of development have higher growth rates than regions with a higher initial level of development

Keywords: spatial inequality, spatial development, β-convergence, σ-convergence, Russia

JEL classification: D63, O52, R1, R58
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