We present a novel approach for analyzing the effects of EU cohesion policy on local economic activity. For all municipalities in the border area of the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland, we collect project-level data on EU funding in the period between 2007 and 2013. Using night light emission...

Using a natural experiment from Germany, we show that temporary place-based subsidies generate persistent effects on economic density. We identify employment and capital formation as main channels for higher income per square kilometer. As the spatial regression discontinuity design allows us to...

Metropolitan areas in many OECD countries are fragmented into various territorial units, which do not correspond to the larger geography of economic and social problems. While the ensuing mismatch is not a new phenomenon, increasingly, fragmentation appears as one of the root causes of...

OECD's Territorial Review of the Teruel region of Spain. It finds that the region is a typical, albeit extreme, example of a low density remote area with an economic base facing serious challenges and little more than its own assets to rely on for its economic development. This book focuses...

This book reviews Finland's success in achieving balanced development over the past decade and assesses the challenges that it faces in maintaining this success. Given intense competition in both ICT and more traditional product markets, as well as rapid ageing of the population, it looks at how...

One of the major challenges facing the Czech Republic is to preserve the role of the Capital city Region of Prague and its surroundings as growth engines for the national economy, while ensuring adequate development in other regions. This report examines the performance and potential of the...

OECD's territorial review of the Italian province of Siena. It finds that Siena, a predominantly rural province in central Italy, has enjoyed steady economic growth throughout the post-war period. This success has its roots in a diverse economy based on manufacturing, services, high-value-added...

Few other countries feature the combination of very low population densities and difficult topography that hinders communication, in addition to a variety of contrasting climates. But the “Nordic welfare model” strives, with a good degree of success, to offer equal living conditions to all...

OECD's comprehensive territorial review of Stockholm. It finds Stockholm to be on the the most successful - but not unchallenged - regions. While there is no crisis on the horizon, there are a number of weaknesses that could undermine the region’s competitiveness in the long run. These...