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Infrastructure and Suprastructure in Regional Competition: A Deus ex Machina?

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Regional Competition

Part of the book series: Advances in Spatial Science ((ADVSPATIAL))

Abstract

Popular wisdom suggests that the infrastructure provision and the knowledge capacity of a region are critical success factors for regional competition. This also explains the almost uncritical support for plans to invest in material and immaterial networks. This paper gives an overview of various arguments and current discussions (taking Europe as a frame of reference) and argues that for two reasons there is a need for a critical reflection, viz. endogenous growth arguments and unanticipated effects (in particular, externalities). Some modelling exercises and numerical experiments will clarify the message of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculteit der Economische Wetenschappen en Econometrie, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, NL-1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Peter Nijkamp

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  1. Peter Nijkamp
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Social and Environmental Studies, The University of Liverpool, L69 3BX, Liverpool, UK

    Peter W. J. Batey

  2. Fakultät für Wirtschafts- und Organisationswissenschaften, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39, 85577, München, Germany

    Peter Friedrich (Lehrstuhl für Finanzwissenschaft) (Lehrstuhl für Finanzwissenschaft)

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Nijkamp, P. (2000). Infrastructure and Suprastructure in Regional Competition: A Deus ex Machina?. In: Batey, P.W.J., Friedrich, P. (eds) Regional Competition. Advances in Spatial Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-04234-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-04234-2_4

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