Does smart growth enhance economic cohesion? An analysis for the EU regions of new and old accession countries
Does smart growth enhance economic cohesion? An analysis for the EU regions of new and old accession countries

Summary/Abstract: The objective of the paper is to assess relations between smart growth described by means of three pillars (smart specialization, creativity, innovation) and economic cohesion by measuring both the intensity and direction of their mutual relations. The study was conducted among NUTS 2 level regions of the European Union countries divided into the regions of new accession from 2004 and 2007 (EU12) and the remaining regions, i.e. old EU ones (EU15). The study covered the period of 2000–2009. An analysis of smart growth pillars’ impact on economic cohesion confirmed that the key factor and also the one which develops most dynamically is represented by human capital creative resources (pillar II) in both the EU12 and the EU15 regions.

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