The principle aims of regional policy can be encapsulated in terms of ‘spatial equity’ and ‘economic efficiency’. Establishing the relation between these two aims is of fundamental importance. Conventionally, however, it is assumed that there is a conflict or a ‘trade-off’ between...

The regional policy problem is often conceived as a trade-off between aggregate efficiency and interregional equity. A policy to allocate investment across regions frequently causes a contradiction in the aims of regional policy, in the sense that it might lead to high rates of aggregate growth...