The processes of socio-economic development and the corresponding evolution of development theories have been accompanied by changes in the perception of the importance of transport infrastructure. Currently, the most widespread view is that transport infrastructure is a necessary but insufficient factor for regional development. The aim of this study is to determine the role of this factor in the development of regions in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, particularly in the context of the new polarization-diffusion model of regional policy. This was done based on case studies and the results of model analyses prepared by OECD experts.One of the main conclusions of the study is the finding that an appropriate level of human capital and innovation must coexist with transport infrastructure for these factors to collectively determine the development potential of a given region.
1. Introduction
There are many theories indicating a number of premises for socio-economic growth in general, as well as identifying regional development factors in more detail. The discussion on the model of regional development policy (the equalization model versus the polarization-diffusion model2) also leads to a closer analysis of the development factors indicated in various theories, and above all, the results of their empirical verification. A practical application of such considerations is, in fact,
1 Elements of the discussion on the new paradigm of regional policy are present, among others, in the publications:
Problematyka przyszłości regionów. W poszukiwaniu nowego paradygmatu. Ed. P. Jakubowska, A. Kuliński, P. Żuber, Ministry of Regional Development, Warsaw 2008 or in the 4-volume series The Future of European
Regions. Ed. P. Jakubowska, A. Kuliński, P. Żuber, Ministry of Regional Development, Warsaw 2007-
2008 containing opinions and analyses of both theorists and practitioners of regional development policy.
2 In the equalization model, the main goal is to level out interregional differences and achieve social, economic, and territorial cohesion. Funds are directed to those regions and individuals who cannot overcome development constraints on their own. However, the experience of developed countries to date indicates that the advantage of “strong” regions over “weak” ones does not decrease, even despite significant funds directed to the latter group. (…)
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Source: Logistyka Magazine