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Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 9437

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Andrzej Cieslik

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Economics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: international economics; international trade; foreign direct investment; open economy macroeconomics; economic geography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tomasz Misiak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Management, Rzeszów University of Technology, Powstańców Warszawy 10, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: economic growth; regional economic development; convergence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

1. Introduction, including scientific background and highlighting the importance of this research area.

A rapid increase in the world population over last decades represents one of most severe issues. In addition to the strong pace of population growth, its uneven distribution within countries constitutes a major policy problem for public administration at various levels. In particular, in recent years, many countries have experienced the rapid growth of large cities, which became the national centers of various economic and social activities. At the same time, however, the development of areas located at greater distances from these centers has been much slower. Despite being interesting areas, they are characterized by a lower level of economic potential, in comparison to more developed regions. In modern theories of regional development, besides classical growth factors, the role of innovations and the level of innovation arising from their implementation have been highlighted. However, innovation activities are typically taking place in developed urban centers. This has led to the emergence of so-called center-periphery location patterns. Persisting differences in the economic potential of particular regions are one of the fundamental problems of any economy. The causes of unequal development vary widely and require various tools and policies to achieve balanced and sustainable regional development.

2. Aim of the Special issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope.

This special issue aims at bringing together contemporary research that provides new insights into how sustainable development can be achieved at the regional level and embedded into regional development policy and practice. Papers that robustly engage with contemporary scholarship and provide new empirical evidence are particularly encouraged.

3. Suggest themes.

In this Special Issue, original research articles containing novel empirical evidence with specific policy implication are particularly welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • What are the contemporary approaches to achieving sustainable regional development?. Papers might use comparative case studies to focus on matters such as smart specialisation, clustering or knowledge economies, etc.
  • How can innovation or entrepreneurship underpin sustainable regional development?
  • What are best practice indicators and approaches for the evaluation of sustainable regional development?
  • What governance structures are effective in supporting the embedding of sustainable development into regional development practices?
  • What type of locally lead initiatives can promote broader sustainable regional development?
  • What is the role of foreign direct investment and international openness in promoting sustainable regional development?
  • What is the role of sectoral diversification in regional economic growth?

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Andrzej Cieslik
Dr. Tomasz Misiak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • innovation
  • regional development
  • regional policy
  • sustainability

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1675 KiB  
Article
Regional Vulnerability to Food Insecurity: The Case of Indonesia
by Indri Arrafi Juliannisa, Hania Rahma, Sri Mulatsih and Akhmad Fauzi
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4800; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114800 - 23 May 2025
Viewed by 246
Abstract
Regional vulnerability manifests in various ways, one of which is food insecurity. Food insecurity is a global challenge and a key focus of Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger. This study aims to assess the level of regional vulnerability [...] Read more.
Regional vulnerability manifests in various ways, one of which is food insecurity. Food insecurity is a global challenge and a key focus of Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger. This study aims to assess the level of regional vulnerability to food insecurity for 34 provinces in Indonesia. The components of vulnerability are defined by exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, while the dimensions of food insecurity are assessed through availability and access-utility. This study employed the composite index method to assess regional vulnerability to food insecurity in Indonesia for the year 2021. The analysis involved three calculation steps and utilized a subjective direct technique for indicator weighting. The findings emphasize the significant role of exposure in a region’s susceptibility to food insecurity. Mapping the conditions of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicates that 11.7% of Indonesian provinces are extremely vulnerable, with high exposure and sensitivity, and low adaptive capacity. To address these issues, these provinces should focus on diversifying food sources, improving market access for farmers, investing in essential agricultural infrastructure, and enhancing the agricultural sector through human resource development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development)
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17 pages, 1704 KiB  
Article
Economic Structural Adjustment Promoting Sustainable Growth in Shanghai: A Two-Decade Study (2004–2023)
by Danjun Wang, Yunqi Zhou and Fengwei Wang
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4318; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104318 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 350
Abstract
This study investigates the structural transformation of Shanghai’s economy (2004–2023), analyzing the interplay between industrial shifts and sustainable growth. While prior work has focused on short-term trends or isolated sectors, we provide the first comprehensive analysis of Shanghai’s two-decade transition from manufacturing to [...] Read more.
This study investigates the structural transformation of Shanghai’s economy (2004–2023), analyzing the interplay between industrial shifts and sustainable growth. While prior work has focused on short-term trends or isolated sectors, we provide the first comprehensive analysis of Shanghai’s two-decade transition from manufacturing to services, leveraging annual nominal GDP data and three forecasting models (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average model ARIMA, Support Vector Machine SVM, and Grey Model GM). Our findings reveal that the tertiary sector’s contribution surged from 50.8% to 75.2% of GDP, driven by finance, technology, and real estate, while the secondary sector declined to 24.6%. The autoregressive integrated moving average ARIMA(1,1) model outperformed alternatives (mean absolute percentage error 2.97%), projecting GDP growth to CNY 60,321.54 trillion by 2026. Crucially, we demonstrate that Shanghai’s structural evolution aligns with advanced urban economies (e.g., New York, Tokyo), yet retains distinct industrial resilience due to China’s dual-circulation policy. These results challenge assumptions about manufacturing decline, instead highlighting a rebalancing toward high-value-added sectors. The study contributes (1) a validated framework for forecasting urban GDP in policy-stabilized economies and (2) empirical evidence for prioritizing tertiary innovation in sustainable development strategies. Policymakers and researchers can leverage these insights to navigate trade-offs between growth, equity, and environmental goals in rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development)
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26 pages, 9088 KiB  
Article
The Interaction Between Sustainable Development and Cultural Infrastructure: An Empirical Analysis of France and Romania in the Era of Smart Technologies and Future Research Directions
by Alexandru Florin Preda, Raluca Florentina Cretu, Viorel-Costin Banta, Elena Claudia Serban, Mihaela Diana Oancea-Negescu, Adrian Anica-Popa, Cornel Dumitru Crecana and Andreea Gabriela Tanase
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3063; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073063 - 30 Mar 2025
Viewed by 576
Abstract
Culture is the mark we leave on history, and cultural infrastructure supports the quality of life of people in a community. This paper describes the interaction between sustainable development (an economic component, GDP per capita, and a social component, poverty) and cultural infrastructure [...] Read more.
Culture is the mark we leave on history, and cultural infrastructure supports the quality of life of people in a community. This paper describes the interaction between sustainable development (an economic component, GDP per capita, and a social component, poverty) and cultural infrastructure in the cases of France and Romania, through a comparative analysis and how multidisciplinary education can help strengthen this link. To achieve this goal, the authors used linear regression combined with bibliometric analyses (a hybrid model), which gives this paper originality. This systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis will help to map the culture, education, and sustainable development sector and to establish new research directions. The authors of this study identified four future research themes and formulated policy recommendations and a practical smart technology solution in the context of sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development)
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20 pages, 1391 KiB  
Article
Effective Cohesion Policy? Long-Term Economic and Social Convergence in Poland
by Marcin Bogdański and Marcin Janusz
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030954 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 967
Abstract
The aim of this article is to determine the relationship between the processes of economic and social convergence in Polish voivodeships. The correlation between these two processes is still unclear and the mechanisms behind them are not fully discovered. The goal of this [...] Read more.
The aim of this article is to determine the relationship between the processes of economic and social convergence in Polish voivodeships. The correlation between these two processes is still unclear and the mechanisms behind them are not fully discovered. The goal of this article requires determining whether the changes in the level of disproportions in the GDP per capita translate into changes in social cohesion and what is the nature of this relationship. Those issues are still relevant and important due to their cognitive and practical value. In view of the above, using various analysis tools (i.e., the correlation coefficient and regression function), the authors determine whether economic convergence (both β and σ) and social convergence (with the use of the TOPSIS method) is observed in Polish regions in the years 2000–2022. The obtained results allow us to state that in the analyzed period, economic and social divergence processes occurred in Poland. The constantly deepening disproportions seem to be relatively permanent and caused by differences in the demographic potential (including urbanization potential) of individual regions that are difficult to eliminate, as well as by different development trajectories during the period of political transformation after 1989. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development)
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26 pages, 3183 KiB  
Article
Regional Competitiveness for Achieving Sustainable Development of Hail Region, Saudi Arabia
by Nahla Chaaben, Zied Elleuch, Bassem Kahouli and Kaouther Zneidi
Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010156 - 28 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1286
Abstract
The concept of competitiveness has had a notable influence on the strategies and policies adopted recently. In particular, the concept of regional competitiveness has attracted significant interest from policymakers due to its capacity to assess and compare different territories in the absence of [...] Read more.
The concept of competitiveness has had a notable influence on the strategies and policies adopted recently. In particular, the concept of regional competitiveness has attracted significant interest from policymakers due to its capacity to assess and compare different territories in the absence of an established policy or conceptual framework. Nevertheless, the concept of regional competitiveness itself has been a topic of debate among scholars, along with the dimensions that should be included in such a concept. The aim of this study is to examine and evaluate the competitive landscape at the regional level in Saudi Arabia. In this regard, the Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI), as proposed by the European Union, provides an appropriate framework for analysis. The index is made up of eleven pillars classified into three sub-indices: basic, efficiency, and innovation assess factors pertinent to businesses that extend beyond those relevant to the residents of the regions in question and their quality of life. The findings indicate that the RCI indicator performs robustly to the variable reduction methods employed. Moreover, the study’s results indicate that Riyadh and Makkah are the two regions with the highest scores of the index, with values of 18.705 and 17.949, respectively. In contrast, the Hail region exhibits an average performance in comparison to the other regions. The RCI scores indicate notable disparities in competitiveness between provinces. In light of these findings, it can be proposed that efforts to enhance a region’s competitive standing should be accompanied by efficacious enhancements to its economic and social facets to ensure sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development)
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29 pages, 1343 KiB  
Article
Impact of Anti-Corruption on the Sustainability of Local Government Debt in China: The Moderating Role of Fiscal Transparency
by Li Yang, Wenxiu Hu, Zhenxing Su and Jianqi Qiao
Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9507; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219507 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1847
Abstract
In the process of government management, officials may engage in rent-creation and rent-seeking within finance and debt management for personal gain, leading to corruption and jeopardizing government debt sustainability. Can anti-corruption effectively ameliorate this predicament? Based on the growing severity of global debt [...] Read more.
In the process of government management, officials may engage in rent-creation and rent-seeking within finance and debt management for personal gain, leading to corruption and jeopardizing government debt sustainability. Can anti-corruption effectively ameliorate this predicament? Based on the growing severity of global debt sustainability, 30 provincial-level administrative regions in China are used as research samples to explore the influence of China’s anti-corruption campaign targeting officials on local government debt sustainability and the moderating role of fiscal transparency. The results indicate that enhancing anti-corruption efforts will improve the sustainability of local government debt, while fiscal transparency will magnify this positive impact. Furthermore, regional heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that, in developed regions, the impact of anti-corruption on debt sustainability and the moderating impact of fiscal transparency have been bolstered by effective policy implementation. Our research findings not only unveil the influence of anti-corruption on local government debt sustainability and the crucial role of fiscal transparency, but also offer fresh insights to enable local government authorities to manage debt sustainably. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development)
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20 pages, 1812 KiB  
Article
Towards a Sustainable Property Tax System for Regional Development by Integrating the Antifragility Concept
by Malgorzata Renigier-Bilozor, Alina Źróbek-Różańska and Artur Janowski
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7467; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177467 - 29 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1427
Abstract
This study presents a novel approach for developing a sustainable property tax system, aimed at enhancing economic stability and promoting sustainable regional development. This research employs a phenomenological methodology, which includes a comprehensive review of the scientific and practical literature, and their critique [...] Read more.
This study presents a novel approach for developing a sustainable property tax system, aimed at enhancing economic stability and promoting sustainable regional development. This research employs a phenomenological methodology, which includes a comprehensive review of the scientific and practical literature, and their critique and synthesis. The authors also draw on their experiences with the tax system transformation within their own country. This study explores the integration of a consensual governance approach and the concept of antifragility into the complex issue of property taxation. The primary objective is to design a property tax management model that not only fulfills its economic functions, but also fosters an antifragile taxpayer society, contributing to the creation of a resilient and socially cohesive community. The findings demonstrate that a consensual and transparent property tax system, actively involving local stakeholders in decision-making processes, not only reduces resistance to tax reforms but also strengthens a community’s ability to adapt to economic fluctuations. By integrating the principles of good governance and sustainable development, the proposed model promotes socio-economic stability and provides a flexible framework that can accommodate diverse stakeholders needs, ultimately benefiting the broader community through enhanced social cohesion and long-term sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development)
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20 pages, 3216 KiB  
Article
Examining the Impact of Urban Connectivity on Urban Innovation Efficiency: An Empirical Study of Yangtze River Delta in China
by Chuankai Yang, Shuaijun Xue, Peng Gao and Xu Guo
Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5647; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135647 - 2 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1590
Abstract
Innovation serves as a vital catalyst for sustainable urban development, with the enhancement of urban innovation efficiency representing a critical strategy to bolster cities’ innovative capacity. Rigorous scientific measurement of urban innovation efficiency and thorough investigation into the key factors influencing it are [...] Read more.
Innovation serves as a vital catalyst for sustainable urban development, with the enhancement of urban innovation efficiency representing a critical strategy to bolster cities’ innovative capacity. Rigorous scientific measurement of urban innovation efficiency and thorough investigation into the key factors influencing it are imperative for advancing urban innovation capacity. Despite this significance, prior research has largely overlooked the impact of urban connections on urban innovation efficiency. Therefore, this paper undertakes the task of measuring the innovation efficiency of 27 cities within China’s Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region using an improved DEA model, while also examining the associated influencing factors. The primary findings are as follows: (1) The comprehensive efficiency of the 27 cities in the YRD remains relatively low, with pure technical efficiency representing a notable constraint, while scale efficiency demonstrates higher overall performance. (2) The cities can be classified into four distinct categories: innovation-leading, innovation-optimizing, innovation-breaking, and innovation-improving cities. (3) The urban innovation efficiency within the YRD exhibits negative spatial spillover effects. (4) And notably, local economic and social characteristics such as human capital and degree of openness play a positive role in enhancing innovation efficiency in YRD cities. Conversely, factors such as economic foundation and government involvement exhibit negative contributions to innovation efficiency enhancement in YRD cities. Additionally, population mobility between cities is identified as a significant contributor to urban innovation efficiency. This study sheds light on the complex dynamics shaping urban innovation efficiency and underscores the importance of leveraging urban connections to bolster innovation capacity in the YRD and beyond. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Economics, Policies and Sustainable Development)
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