Course detail

Regional Policy

FAST-NVB047Acad. year: 2025/2026

Regional economy. Economic space systems. Theoretical approaches to their explanation. Localization theory. Regional development and growth theories.
Region, regional dimension of the factor market.
Economic level of the regions, its evaluation.
Regional politics.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Richard Bartes, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Structural Economics and Management (EKR)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of fundamentals of microeconomics, macroeconomics and world economics, behaviour of economic system, its tools and relations between microeconomic subjects.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Assessment of acquired knowledge is in the form of a written test. Successful graduation is the acquisition of min. 50 points. Skills are assessed in exercises, namely attendance and presentation of a case study of a selected territorial unit - region.


Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Aims

The aim of the subject is for students to understand the meaning of localization theories, to be able to use simple methods of localization analysis and be capable of interpreting their results, understand the position of a natural monopoly on a regional market and the necessity of its regulation.
The ability to explain the question of spatial concentration or dispersion and agglomeration effects related to it, knowledge of the theory of polarized development as a typical example of growth theory, including its practical implementation. Understanding of the term ‘region’, the issue of regionalization of a territory, overview of the question of evaluation of regional differences, the appearance of inter-regional inequalities and possibilities of influencing them. Penetration into regional policy issues in the Czech Republic. Familiarisation with the regional policy documents of the Czech Republic and with the conditions of regional support programmes.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Blažek, Jiří a David Uhlíř. Teorie regionálního rozvoje: nástin, kritika, implikace. Charles University in Prague, Karolinum Press, 2020. ISBN 8024645661, 9788024645667. (CS)
Nikolaeva Venera. Regional Policy of the EU: New Challenges in the Absorption and Implementation of Structural Assistance. Lap Lambert Academic Publishing GmbH KG, 2015. ISBN 3659706396, 9783659706394. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NPC-SIE Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme NPC-MI Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme CZV1-AKR Lifelong learning

    specialization PNM , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Richard Bartes, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1. Introduction to regional economy. Spatial economic systems. Theoretical approaches to their explanation.
  • 2. Localization theories – agriculture (von Thünen), industry (Schäffle, Fischer, Weber).
  • 3. Localization theories of the 1920s and 1950s.
  • 4. Agglomeration effects, spatial concentration or dispersion.
  • 5. Regions and regionalization, homogeneous and heterogeneous regions.
  • 6. Regional dimensions of the market of factors of production – job market, immovable property market.
  • 7. Regional development and growth theories – theory of polarized development, export base theory etc.
  • 8. Economic level of regions – main influencing factors.
  • 9. Evaluation of the economic level – microeconomic and macroeconomic, quantitative and qualitative indicators.
  • 10. Regional policy – inter-regional differences, regional policy conception according to the main economic schools.
  • 11. Regional policy in the Czech Republic – principles, tools, regions with concentrated support from the state.
  • 12. Regional policy of the Czech Republic in the period 2014–2020.
  • 13. Regional development strategy of the Czech Republic and other regional policy documents of the Czech Republic.

Exercise

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Richard Bartes, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  • 1. Program of teaching, instruction and guidance, requirements for award a credit. SWOT analysis. Case Study - assignment of an individual project.
  • 2. Case Study – SWOT analysis, field Position of the region and geographical conditions, Socio-economic conditions, Transport, Infrastructure and Landscape and environment.
  • 3. Case Study - public presentation of SWOT analysis by each group.
  • 4. Case Study - comparison of selected region with national indicators - GDP, unemployment, building production etc.
  • 5. Case Study - Regional development plan of the region.
  • 6. Case Study – EU grants and subsidies for the region. Completion and correction.
  • 7. A public presentation of the previous parts by each groups. A comprehensive summary of the case study. Submission of case study in both print and electronic versions.