Course code Ekon2119

Credit points 3

Regional Economics

Additional course materials

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation19.12.2018

Responsible UnitInstitute of Economics and Finance

Course developer

author Ekonomikas un finanšu institūts

Zane Vītoliņa

Dr. oec.

Prior knowledge

Ekon1012, Microeconomics

Ekon2109, Macroeconomics

Course abstract

The course provides students with knowledge of regional economic development, as well as the role of national and local governments in the regional economy and development. The course deals with regional economic indicators, regional development support instruments and their effect on regional development. The course also focuses on detailed analyses of the economic situation in the planning regions of Latvia and discusses preconditions and prerequisites for balanced regional development.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge of
• The concepts, classification and kinds of regional economies and regional development – a test, an examination.
• The role of national and local governments in the regional economy and development – discussions in classes.
• Regional policies in the European Union and Latvia – discussions in classes, a test, an examination.
• The economic situation in the planning regions of Latvia, relevant problems and opportunities for development – discussions in classes.
Skills to
• Determine regional development levels and analyse the factors conducive to and hindering regional development – discussions in classes.
• Employ regional economic indicators and analysis methods – independent work.
• Responsible plan the completion of the assignments given – independent work.
• Select information and present the results of calculations done and the proposals developed – independent work.
Competences to

• Compare and assess growth opportunities for various regions and develop proposals for balanced territorial development – independent work.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Regional development. (1h - lecture)
2. Regional development theories and models. (1h - lecture, 1h - practical)
3. Regions of Latvia and national programmes for developing the regions. (1h - lecture, 1h - practical)
4. European Union regional policies. (1h - lecture)
5. National regional policy in the EU context. (1h - lecture, 1h - practical)
6. Regional economic indicators and analysis methods. (2h - lectures, 1h - practical)
7. Regional development support instruments. (1h - lecture, 1h - practical)
8. Characteristics of Kurzeme planning region. (1h - lecture, 2h - practicals)
9. Characteristics of Zemgale planning region. (1h - lecture, 2h - practicals)
10. Characteristics of Vidzeme planning region. (1h - lecture, 2h - practicals)
11. Characteristics of Latgale planning region. (1h - lecture, 2h - practicals)
12. Characteristics of Riga planning region. (1h - lecture, 2h - practicals)
13. Regional space planning. (2h - lectures, 1h - practical)

14. Urban and rural interaction in a regional economy. (1h – lecture )

Requirements for awarding credit points

1. Test during the semester.
2. Two independent assignments and the presentations of the results.

3. Examination.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1st independent assignment – a socioeconomic assessment of a planning region (individual research and presentation)

2nd independent assignment – characteristics of and specialisation opportunities for a chosen municipality/city under state jurisdiction

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark consists of the following pieces of assessment:
1. Examination – 40%.
2. Tests – 20%.

3. Independent

Compulsory reading

1. Keišs S., Kazinovskis A. (2014) Reģionālā attīstība Latvijā: administratīvi teritoriālās reformas norises gaita, problēmas, risinājumi. Monogrāfija. Rīga: Vītola izdevniecība, 616 lpp.
2. Capello R. (2016) Regional Economics. Second edition. Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, p 354.
3. McCann P (2013). Modern Urban and Regional Economics. Oxford : Oxford University Press. 408.lpp
4. Vaidere I., Vanaga E., Vanags I., Vilka I. (2006) Reģionālā politika un pašvaldību attīstība Eiropas Savienībā un Latvijā. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgādes Latvijas Statistikas institūts. 295 lpp.
5. Zināšanu ekonomika Latvijas lauku un reģionu dzīvotspējai. (2018) Monogrāfija, galvenā redaktore B. Rivža. Rīga: Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija, 325 lpp.
6. Latvijas spēks ilgi pastāvēt. (2022) Monogrāfija, galvenā redaktore B. Rivža. Rīga: Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija, 479 lpp.
7. Pūķis M. (2010) Pašu vadība. Latvijas Pašvaldību savienība, 512 lpp.

Further reading

1. Latvijas ilgtspējīgas attīstības stratēģija līdz 2030. gadam. Pieejams: https://www.pkc.gov.lv/sites/default/files/inline-files/Latvija_2030_6.pdf
2. Latvijas Nacionālais attīstības plāns. Pieejams: https://www.pkc.gov.lv/sites/default/files/inline-files/NAP2027_apstiprin%C4%81ts%20Saeim%C4%81_1.pdf
3. Administratīvo teritoriju un apdzīvoto vietu likums. (2020) Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/315654-administrativo-teritoriju-un-apdzivoto-vietu-likums
4. Reģionālās attīstības likums (2002) Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/61002-regionalas-attistibas-likums
5. Teritorijas attīstības plānošanas likums (2011). Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/238807-teritorijas-attistibas-planosanas-likums
6. Reģionālās politikas pamatnostādnes 2021-2027.gadam (2019). Pieejams https://likumi.lv/ta/id/310954-par-regionalas-politikas-pamatnostadnem-2021-2027-gadam

Periodicals and other sources

1. Reģionālās attīstības indikatoru modelis. Pieejams: http://www.raim.gov.lv
2. Valsts reģionālās attīstības aģentūra. Pieejams: http://www.vraa.gov.lv
3. Kurzemes plānošanas reģions. Pieejams: http://www.kurzemesregions.lv
4. Zemgales plānošanas reģions. Pieejams: http://www.zemgale.lv
5. Vidzemes plānošanas reģions. Pieejams: http://www.vidzeme.lv
6. Latgales plānošanas reģions. Pieejams: http://www.lpr.gov.lv

7. Rīgas plānošanas reģions. Pieejams: http://www.rpl.gov.lv