Yilin Chen (p)

Frank van Oort

This paper examines regional income and inequality in China from 2001 to 2020 through a remote sensing approach. We employ an extended and refined series of VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite)-like nighttime light (NTL) data as a proxy for time-series gross domestic product (GDP). This novel dataset with higher resolution and temporal consistency improves the accuracy over the previously used DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) dataset in terms of the underestimation of regional inequality. Our study contributes to the existing literature by constructing a new dataset of regional income and inequality for 332 Chinese cities, based on luminosity measurements. Covering 332 cities and 2813 counties, our analysis reveals three key facts in China: (1) The higher-quality nighttime light data is a reliable predictor of regional income, explaining approximately 90% of its variations. (2) Spatial factors significantly influence economic disparities, with a marked negative correlation between spatial dependence and inequality. (3) An inverse spatial distribution is observed between regions with high income and those with high inequality. These insights indicate the potential of spatial connectivity and development decentralisation to promote economic growth and reduce inequality. Furthermore, this study underscores the utility of nighttime light data in remote sensing applications for socioeconomic analysis.

Boonyakorn Damrongrat (p)

Frank van Oort

Thailand's transition from an agriculture-based economy to a semi-industrial one through the Eastern Seaboard policy has notably enhanced employment rates and GDP, marking a significant shift in its economic development strategy (JICA, 2001). Building on this success, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) launched the Eastern Economic Corridors (EEC) initiative in 2017, aiming to further transform the economic landscape of three Eastern provinces. The EEC project is designed to promote comprehensive physical and social development, thereby improving the country's competitiveness on a global scale. Guided by the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO), the initiative focuses on sustainable area-based development, infrastructure and connectivity enhancement, and the promotion of advanced technology and innovation.
This evolution mirrors the global trend towards integrating environmental sustainability and modern urban planning concepts into economic development, as emphasized by UNCTAD in 2020. The EEC's incorporation of smart city and aerotropolis concepts, alongside efforts to upgrade the skills of employees and residents, aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and represents a progressive step towards reconciling development goals with sustainability imperatives. However, this shift also presents challenges, particularly for local communities struggling to adapt to rapid changes, highlighting potential social and environmental gaps introduced by the EEC's implementation.
Identifying and addressing these gaps necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of the EEC's strategy to enhance the socio-economic benefits realized under the Eastern Seaboard policy while mitigating adverse impacts. This study adopts a chronological analysis to explore the policy's evolution, impacts, and the relationship between its implementation and outcomes. By tracing the development from the Eastern Seaboard initiative to the EEC, the research aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the policy shifts, their successes, and the emerging challenges.
Contributing to the discourse on sustainable development within SEZs, this research offers insights into the complexities of integrating sustainable concepts into economic policies. By examining the EEC's approach and identifying the gaps in its policy framework, the study aims to inform future policy formulations, ensuring they more effectively bridge social and environmental disparities. This analysis is crucial for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners involved in economic development, providing a framework for designing more inclusive and sustainable economic strategies in Thailand and similar contexts worldwide.

Nur Kardelen Öztürk (p)

Frank van Oort

Rural development is a process that aims to ensure socio-economic development in rural areas. Today, rapid developments in information and communication technologies make significant contributions to this process. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are one of the most important tools supporting rural development. ICT provides fast and easy access to information, facilitates communication, enables the creation of new business models and can increase the productivity of enterprises. Therefore, increasing the use of ICT in rural areas can help to accelerate rural development. ICT is boosting socio-economic development and reducing or deepening inter-regional disparities. One area where inter-regional inequalities are observed is the divide between rural and urban areas. In particular, the fact that ICT is more widespread in urban areas than rural areas makes it difficult for rural areas to keep pace with today's dominant economic and social structure. Accordingly, the digital divide between rural and urban areas has implications for rural development. The primary aim of this research is to reveal the effects of rural-urban digital divide on rural development. Within the scope of this study, the effects of ICT on rural development in rural areas have been discussed and the obstacles to the widespread use of ICT in rural areas have been revealed. Accordingly, the current situation of ICT in rural areas in Turkey is analyzed by referring to the rural-urban digital distinction for Turkey, which is a developing country. Within the scope of the study, descriptive analyses and correlation analyses are performed on Turkey's NUTS-3 level rural population ratio, socio-economic development status, and broadband usage data, and the results of the analyses are discussed.

Cihan Mert Sabah (p)

Frank van Oort

In the contemporary landscape, public investments in infrastructure stand out as the most impactful catalyst for enticing private sector engagements in various regions across the globe. Particularly, transportation infrastructure emerges as the primary focal point for investment, playing a pivotal role in stimulating inter-regional competition by facilitating easier market access. Research on this subject affirms that a well-developed transportation infrastructure significantly contributes to regional development, fostering increased production. The augmentation of transportation infrastructure not only attracts fresh investments but also generates employment opportunities, thereby fostering economic growth. Türkiye, recognizing the significance of this correlation, has intensified its efforts by bolstering investments and implementing innovative financing mechanisms for transportation projects. This study aims to analyse the impact of Türkiye's transportation investments between 2008 and 2017 on regional economic performance. The evaluation will explore whether these investments contribute directly to the economic performance of the regions. To achieve this, the study draws insights from existing literature that underscores the role of transportation in regional development, referencing pertinent studies conducted globally and within Türkiye. Subsequently, data sourced from authoritative institutions such as the General Directorate of Highways, Social Security Institution, and Development Agency are subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. This comprehensive approach ensures a thorough examination of the multifaceted aspects of the relationship between transportation investments and economic performance.