CHANGES IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: SCENARIOS OF COUNTER-URBANIZATION IN THE CONTEXT OF ECONOMIC CRISIS

Evgenia ANASTASIOU

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Thessaly

evanastasiou@uth.gr

Abstract

The last decade economic developments affected to a large extend the demographic structure of Greece. The period 2001-2011 is characterized by a net slowdown of the intense urbanization trend, while in the context of crisis there have been identified counter-urban trends, revealing new attractiveness zones in the rural areas. These indications of mobility do not concern entirely the countryside as the newcomers settle only in specific rural spatial units. At the same time these areas have specific features that facilitate the establishment of a new population, such as population dynamics, tourism development, agricultural activity, services and structures, reduction of geographical isolation, low cost of living and habitation. The future of internal migration in Greece heavily depends on existing trends as well as future economic, social and political developments. Though, the lack of official data for the period after 2011 constrains our understanding for the development of internal migration and particularly counter-urban trends in Greece. The present paper raises the issue of the prospects of the establishment of the Greek population in the countryside, taking into account the pull factors of rural areas. Through Foresight and Strategic Thinking Methods, a longer-term framework is being developed to reflect the potential strategic choices of the internal migrants. This approach is based on a mainly qualitative analysis, scenario planning, in order to present the prerequisites for the further development of such a type of mobility.

Keywords: foresight, scenario planning, internal migration, population, countryside

JEL classification: J1, J6, J11, R23

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MEASURING THE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY CHANGE OF MUNICIPALITIES:EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM GREEK MUNICIPALITIES OVER THE TIME PERIOD 2013-2016

Ifigeneia-Dimitra POUGKAKIOTI

Ph.D. cand. University of Thessaly, Lamia, Greece

pougakioti.ifigenia@gmail.com

Constantinos TSAMADIAS

Emeritus Professor, School of Environment, Geography and Applied Economics Harokopio University, Athens, Greece

ctsamad@hua.gr

Abstract

This paper investigates the relative efficiency and productivity change of municipalities of Greece (regions of Thessaly and Central Greece), during the period 2013–2016. It implements Data Envelopment Analysis (D.E.A.) and Malmquist analysis. Additionally it estimates the effects of the environmental factors on the efficiency using Regression Analysis. The empirical analysis reveals that efficiency and productivity values have gradually improved after the latest reform of Local Government and under restrictive fiscal policy. Τhe average efficiency under constant or variable returns to scale is 0.772 and 0.878 respectively and the mean scale efficiency is 0.883. The total factor productivity has risen by an annual average of 3.3% relatively to the base year 2013. Environmental variables such as type of municipality and population density had a statistically significant positive effect on efficiency. The results of the empirical analysis are consistent to the findings from studies that concern European and other countries. The findings provide benchmarks for policy evaluation and suggestions for region-based approaches.

Keywords: Greek municipalities, efficiency, productivity, DEA, Malmquist analysis

JEL classification: C14, J48, P41, P43

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FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND HUMAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN URBAN AND RURAL: A CASE OF ACEH PROVINCE

Nanda RAHMI

Assistant Professor at the Departement of Economics, Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

nanda_rahmi84@unsyiah.ac.id

ALIASUDDIN

Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

aliasuddin@unsyiah.ac.id

Abstract

this study is to analyze the effects of financial inclusion and other variables on human capital investment in urban dan rural region of Aceh Province by using pooled regression model with sample size total of 800 households.   The results show that financial inclusion and income have a positive and significant effect on human capital investment, whereas family size has negative and significant.  Furthermore, male and urban have bigger effects on human capital investment than female and rural region, respectively.   Meanwhile, age has a bell-shaped to human capital investment indicates that the higher age smaller human capital investment.  The last, the average of years of schooling in urban and rural regions is nine-year means the education level of these regions is junior high school.   It is recommended that government should encourage banking to increase their services to a rural area in order to increase human capital investment.

Keywords: Financial Inclusion, Human Capital Investment, Aceh Province, Indonesia

JEL classification: G5, I210, D1, J170

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