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Territorial Sustainable Development

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Ekon5092, Regional Economy and Policy

Replaced course

EkonM006 [GEKOM006] Territorial Sustainable Development

Course abstract

The course provides knowledge of the importance of exploiting constrained resources in a sustainable way on a national and a global scale. Students acquire knowledge of regional theories and the historical change of the theories, which is the basis for producing the theoretical part of a master thesis. Growth in a territory is assessed in the context of sustainable development, which relates to the balanced use of economic, social and environmental factors in the territory. The course focuses on the use of a circular economy model and solutions to sustainable territorial development.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge
A comprehensive knowledge of the sustainable development dimension: the complex nature of the environment, the economy and prosperity in territorial development. Practical group/pair work, discussions, and examination.
Knowledge of theories, conceptions and models on regional development and growth. Report, a presentation, a test, an examination.
An in-depth knowledge of urgent problems and their solutions in territorial sustainable development in global context. Individual independent work, class delivery, discussions.
Knowledge of territorial sustainability planning and its role in territorial sustainable development. Discussions in classes, an examination.
Professional skills to
Analyse and assess sustainable development resources in a territory examined and come up with solutions, taking into consideration global context. Studies, discussions.
Independently select proper regional development theories, conceptions and models for a particular topic. Report, a test.
Hierarchically arrange and assess relevant territorial sustainable development policy documents. Examination.
Soft skills to
Independently build up their own competences in regional development. Report, an examination.
Assume responsibility for individual and group work and the presentation of the results. Individual and group/pair work.
Competence to
Comprehend the role of theoretical information sources, various regional development theories, conceptions and models and how to apply them in dealing with practical assignments. Report, a presentation, discussions.
Justify their conclusions and develop proposals on solving sustainable territorial development problems, taking into account the global context of local problems. Discussions, an examination.
Assess the role of territorial development planning in contributing to territorial sustainability. Examination.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction to the course Territorial Sustainable Development. Territories as key elements of a regional economy. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
2. Individuals and resources. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
3. Sustainable development and the indicators thereof. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
4. Role of environmental protection in sustainable development of territories. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
5. Current international measures to ensure sustainability. (lecture 1h; practical 2h). (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
6. Regional development theories. Models, theories, concepts of regional development. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
7. Spatial mobility theories and competitiveness theories. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
8. Theories of regional growth. The paradigm shift in regional growth theories. Urban and rural development prospects. Smart city. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
9. Linear and circular economy models in the context of sustainability. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
10. Climate change and its impact on territorial development. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).
11. Municipalities and their role in the development of sustainable territories. Sustainable spatial development planning. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).

12. Global and national challenges for sustainable development. (lecture 1h; practical 2h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

The student produces a report is on regional development and growth theories, concepts and models. The student studies the practical application of theories. The report is presented in practical classes. The student takes a test on theories. Independent work in the course involves studying a topic on topical issues of sustainable development of territories (sustainable infrastructure, transport, society, global companies, cities, global and national challenges for sustainable development etc.). The student conducts a class on this topic. At the end of the course, the student takes an examination on the theoretical part of the course.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent work is 84 hours in length, which is intended for producing a report on regional development theories and studying the theories (30h); an independently studied topic on the latest developments in sustainable development (24 h) and preparation for an examination (30 h).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark consists of the following pieces of assessment: a report and a multiple choice test 30%; independent work and a class conducted 30%; an examination 30%; and activity during practicals 10%.

Compulsory reading

1. Atstāja Dz., Dimante Dž., Brīvers I. u.c. Vide un ekonomika. Monogrāfija. Rīga, LU, 2011., 256 lpp.
2. Casey J. Dawkins Regional Development Theory: Conceptual Foundations, Classic Works, and Recent Developments. Journal of Planning Literature. 2003., p. 131-172
3. Kovacic Z., Strand R., Völker T. The Circular Economy in Europe: Critical Perspectives on Policies and Imaginaries.London; New York: Routledge, 2020.187 p.
4. Makdono V., Braungarts M. No šūpuļa līdz šūpulim: zaļā domāšana lietu pasaulē. Rīga: Jumava, 2012, 189 lpp.
5. Meadowcroft J. Governance, Democracy and Sustainable Development: Moving Beyond the Impasse. USA: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2012. p.340

6. Zināšanu ekonomika Latvijas lauku un reģionu dzīvotspējai. Baibas Rivžas red.2018., 325 lpp.

Further reading

1. Atjaunojamā enerģija un tās efektīva izmantošana Latvijā: monogrāfija (autoru kolektīvs). Jelgava: LLU, 2012, 392 lpp.
2. Attīstības centru ietekmes areālu noteikšana un analīze. Plānošanas reģionu, republikas pilsētu un novadu pašvaldību attīstības raksturojums. Pētījuma noslēguma ziņojums. Rīga, 2013., 149 lpp
3. Buģina V., Pučure I. Ievads reģionālās attīstības teorijās, Jelgava: 2000, 136 lpp.
4. Capello.R, Camagni R.P., Chizzolini B, Fratesi U., (2008) Modelling Regional Scenarios for Enlarged Europe. p. 321.
5. Capello R., Nijkamp P. Handbook of Regional Growth and Development Theories. Edward Elgar Cheltenham, UK, Northampton, MA, USA, 2009., p. 529
6. Hacioglu U. Digital Bisiness Strategies in Blockchain Ecosystems: Transformational Design and Future of Global Business. Switzeland: Springer Nature, 2020. 647 p.
7. Krause H.U., Arora D. Key Performance Indicators for Sustainable Management: A Compendium Based on the “Balanced Scorecard Approach”. Berlin/ Boston: De Guyter, 2020. 372 p.
8. Keišs S., Kazinovskis A. Reģionālā attīstība Latvijā: administratīvi teritoriālās reformas norises gaita, problēmas, risinājumi. Monogrāfija. Rīga: Vītola izdevniecība, 2014., 616 lpp.
9. Latvijas ilgtspējīgas attīstības stratēģija. http://www.varam.gov.lv/
10. McCann P. Modern urban and regional economics. Second edition Oxford: University Press, 2013. p.408
11. Siltumnīcefekta gāzu samazināšanas iespējas ar klimatam draudzīgu lauksaimniecību un mežsaimniecību Latvijā. EVIDEnT 2018., 289.lpp.
12. Simtam pāri. Viedā Latvija. VPP EKOSOC-LV. 2018., 415 lpp.

13. Vide un ilgtspējīga attīstība. Redaktori: M.Kļaviņš un J.Zaļoksnis. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2010, 334 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Laikraksts „Diena”
2. Laikraksts „Dienas Bizness”
3. Žurnāls „Vides Vēstis”
4. Žurnāls „Logs”
5. EUR – Lex Acces to European Union Law - http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html
6. EUROSTAT database - https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database
7. Latvijas e-indekss – https://mana.latvija.lv/e-indekss/
8. Latvijas Lielo pilsētu asociācija - http://www.llpa.lv
9. Latvijas Pašvaldību savienība - http://www.lps.lv
10. LR tiesību akti - http://www.likumi.lv
11. Reģionālās attīstības indikatoru modulis - http://raim.gov.lv
12. United Nations Development Programme - http://www.undp.org/
13. Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrija - http://www.varam.gov.lv 

14. Valsts reģionālās attīstības aģentūra - http://www.vraa.gov.lv 

Notes

Restricted elective course for the ESAF academic master programme Economics, specialisation Sustainable Territorial Development and Marketing