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Territorial Sustainable Development

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Ekon5092, Regional Economy and Policy

Replaced course

Ekon5138 [GEKO5138] Territorial Sustainable Development

Course abstract

The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the role of exploiting constrained resources in a sustainable way from the perspective of territorial development. Students acquire knowledge of regional development theories, the elements of smart territories, as well as the change of paradigms of sustainable territorial development. 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 shaping students’ understanding of the international political position on dealing with climate neutrality and the practical actions. The learning outcomes are aimed at creating a theoretical framework for a master thesis.

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 cities, smart villages and smart communities. (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, smart urban solutions, global and national challenges for sustainable development etc.). The student conducts a class on this topic, an infographic has been created. 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 76 hours in length, which is intended for producing a report on regional development theories and studying the theories (26 h); an independently studied topic on the latest developments in sustainable development (18 h) and infographic (6 h), preparation for an examination (26 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. Poschen, Peter Decent Work, Green Jobs and the Sustainable Economy. Sustainable development-Government policy. Green movement—Employment. Manpower policy Sustainable development--Economic aspects. 2015., p. 169, eBook
2. Kovacic Z., Strand R., Völker T. The Circular Economy in Europe: Critical Perspectives on Policies and Imaginaries.London; New York: Routledge, 2020.187 p.
3. Meadowcroft J. Governance, Democracy and Sustainable Development: Moving Beyond the Impasse. USA: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2012. p.340
4. Atstāja Dz., Dimante Dž., Brīvers I. u.c. Vide un ekonomika. Monogrāfija. Rīga, LU, 2011., 256 lpp.
5. Zināšanu ekonomika Latvijas lauku un reģionu dzīvotspējai. Baibas Rivžas red.2018., 325 lpp.
6. Roorda N. Fundamentals of Sustainable Development. Second edition. New York: Routledge, 2017. 382 p.
7. Modak P. Practicing Circular Economy. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2021. 365 p.
8. Hans- Jürgen Ewers; Jürgen Allesch Innovation and Regional Development: Strategies, Instruments and Policy Coordination. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter. 2019., eBook.

Further reading

1. Capello.R, Camagni R.P., Chizzolini B, Fratesi U. Modelling Regional Scenarios for Enlarged Europe. 2008., p. 321.
2. Capello R., Nijkamp P. Handbook of Regional Growth and Development Theories. Edward Elgar Cheltenham, UK, Northampton, MA, USA, 2009., p. 529
3. Casey J. Dawkins Regional Development Theory: Conceptual Foundations, Classic Works, and Recent Developments. Journal of Planning Literature, 2003., Vol.18, 131-172.
4. Buģina V., Pučure I. Ievads reģionālās attīstības teorijās, Jelgava: 2000, 136 lpp.
5. Hacioglu U. Digital Bisiness Strategies in Blockchain Ecosystems: Transformational Design and Future of Global Business. Switzeland: Springer Nature, 2020. 647 p.
6. 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.
7. Latvijas ilgtspējīgas attīstības stratēģija. http://www.varam.gov.lv/
8. McCann P. Modern urban and regional economics. Second edition Oxford: University Press, 2013. p.408
9. Siltumnīcefekta gāzu samazināšanas iespējas ar klimatam draudzīgu lauksaimniecību un mežsaimniecību Latvijā. EVIDEnT 2018., 289.lpp.
10. Simtam pāri. Viedā Latvija. VPP EKOSOC-LV. 2018., 415 lpp.
11. Vide un ilgtspējīga attīstība. Redaktori: M.Kļaviņš un J.Zaļoksnis. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2010, 334 lpp.
12. Kopnina H., Poldner K. Circular Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for Ethical and Sustainable Business. Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, 2022. pp. 226
13. Luiz C. Terra dos Santos,Biagio F. Giannetti,Feni Agostinho,Cecilia M.V.B. Almeida. Using the five sectors sustainability model to verify the relationship between circularity and sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production. Vol.366. Pieejams:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652622025306
14. Makdono V., Braungarts M. No šūpuļa līdz šūpulim: zaļā domāšana lietu pasaulē. Rīga: Jumava, 2012, 189 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Dienas Bizness: nedēļas laikraksts: Latvijas biznesa avīze. Rīga: Diena: Dagens Industri, 2005-. ISSN 1407-2041.
2. Journal of Sustainable Development: Canadian Center of Science and Education. ISSN(Online): 1913-9071 Pieejams: https://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jsd
3. Journal the Circular Economy and Sustainability: Pieejams: https://link.springer.com/journal/43615/volumes-and-issues
4. EUR – Lex Acces to European Union Law: Pieejams: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html
5. EUROSTAT database: Pieejams: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database
6. Latvijas e-indekss: Pieejams: https://mana.latvija.lv/e-indekss/
7. Reģionālās attīstības indikatoru modulis. Pieejams: http://raim.gov.lv
8. United Nations Development Programme: Pieejams: http://www.undp.org/
9. Viedās administrācijas un reģionālās attīstības ministrija: Pieejams: http://www.varam.gov.lv

Notes

Restricted elective course for the ESAF academic master programme Economics