Arguments for Polycentricity in Romanian Regional Development in the

• Author: Raluca Irina Clipa - Flavian Clipa - Dumitru Filipeanu
• Position: 1Associate Professor, PhD, 'Gh. Zane' University, Romania - Senior Lecturer, PhD, 'Gh. Zane' University, Romania - Senior Lecturer PhD, 'Gh. Zane' University, Romania
• Pages: 431-434

Performance and Risks in the European Economy

431

Arguments for Polycentricity in Romanian Regional Development in the

Context of European Union Cohesion Policy

Clipa Raluca Irina

1

, Clipa Flavian

2

, Filipeanu Dumitru

3

Abstract: Our study aims at analysing the monocentric/p olycentric trends in Romanian regional development

and formulating the recommendations regarding public policy for the attenuation of present development

disparities. In order to achieve this goal, we used as variables the annual GDP ra tes of each region, viewed as

representations of their development level, for the per iod of 2008-201 3, based on the data supplied by the

National Commission of Prognosis (Comisia Naional de Prognoz). As a result, we observed a regression of

growth rates directly influenced by development levels. We draw the following c onclusions: ther e is a

potential, in Romania, for reducing the existent development lag among its regional divisions, through the

emergence and sustainable development of new growth poles within poorer regions. The solution for the

attenuation of present economic disparities i s, consequently, a bala nced polycentric development at regional

level, opposed to a monocentric development. By placing our analysis at a normative level, a balanced

territorial development can be achieved by orienting public policies in two directions: the stimulation of

economic growth within slower-growing regions and the dispersion of economic growth from more

developed regions towards less developed ones, through a national redistribution process. It is important that

the principles based on 'the ability to generate income' must prevail over those based on 'i ncome

discrepancies'. Our study can constitute itself as a starting point for future r esearch on the role of

agglomerations within a possible configuration of a balanced Romanian territorial development.

Keywords: monocentric development; polycentric development; growth poles; integrated area development;

spatial equilibrium

JEL Classification: R11; R58

1 Introduction

Romania's EU integration requires the adherence to a redistributive, ambivalent, economic and social

model. A model with a social scope, in which market failures is resolved by using public policies. A

model provided with a regulation strategy that broadcasts prosperity from center to periphery, using

the available structural and cohesion funds. Romania is a cohesion country, along with other EU

member states that have regions with a GDP per inhabitant lower than 75% of the community average.

This means that all the 8 Romanian development regions are eligible to receive cohesion funds.

Romania's development is characterised by disparities among its 8 development regions. Regional

disparities (scientific literature operates with the term disparity, as well as with the terms discrepancy

and regional inequalities, taking into account the fact that inequalities become disparities when they

exceed 30% in amplitude) are a result of imbalanced distribution of natural and human resources, of

social, political, demographic and economic differences, as well as a result of the way they interact at

territorial level, taking into account their historical development. In addition to that, the managerial

1

Associate Professor, PhD, “Gh. Zane” University, Romania, Address: 67 tefan cel Mare i Sfânt Blvd, bl. Ca sa Crii, Iasi

700064, tel./fax. 0232233752, Corresponding author: raluclipa@yahoo.com.

2

Senior Lecturer, PhD, “Gh. Zane” University, Romania, Address: 67 tef an cel Mare i Sfânt Blvd, bl. Casa Crii, Iasi

700064, telephone/fax 0232233752, e-mail: flaclipa@yahoo.com.

3

Senior Lecturer PhD, “Gh. Zane” University, Romania, Address: 67 tefan cel Mare i Sfânt Blvd, bl. Casa Crii, Iasi

700064, telephone/fax 0232233752, e-mail: filipeanu@hotmail.com.