ENVIRONMENTAL AND TERRITORIAL ECONOMY
Module ANALISI ECONOMICA DEL TERRITORIO

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: Gabriella VINDIGNI

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course is designed to provide participants with a knowledge of the key definitions and cognitive elements of spatial planning and management theories and tools. It also aims to provide students with methodological tools for spatial analysis that incorporate the views of local actors. 

 1. knowledge and understanding

Students will acquire knowledge of key definitions and cognitive elements of spatial planning and management theories and tools. They will also develop knowledge of methodological tools for analysing a territory, with particular reference to those that enable the incorporating  stakeholders' points of view. 

2) ability to apply knowledge and understanding

At the end of this course, students will be able to a) understand the conceptual and operational tools for reflecting on spatial inequalities; b) know the main conceptual approaches on economic growth and spatial development to explain the increase in socio-economic inequalities c) use the main indicators useful for the socio-economic analysis of a territory; d) carry out empirical analysis based on real data at national (regional and provincial) and international level, taken from official databases; e) collect and process economic, social and environmental data; f) apply decision-making tools. In addition, students will acquire practical and theoretical knowledge concerning: i) the management of group activities, the presentation of contents in a critical form, the activation of reflection a decision-making process starting from the discussion of case studies; h) the conduction of surveys and the development of questionnaires to sound out opinions on the prospects for the sustainable development of an area

3) Autonomy of judgement

 Students will acquire sufficient capacity to use spatial planning tools and to critically represent the socio-economic processes and dynamics of a territory.

4) Communication skills

 Students will develop the ability to appropriately use team working tools, to write reports on individual and group activities related to relevant work contexts, using an appropriate language.

5. learning skills

The course will contribute to the development of the capacity for autonomous analysis, in-depth research, consultation of specific databases and other information on the web in order to address problems that will be encountered in the professional field

Course Structure

The course consists of face-to-face theoretical lectures (28 hours) and participative and cooperative exercises (28 hours) aimed at providing students with the necessary skills to deal with issues concerning the interrelations between biotechnological innovations and environmental protection as well as to analyse the organisational and economic characteristics of biotech companies. Other activities such as case studies, in-depth group work and the preparation of papers are therefore also envisaged.

If the course is taught in distance learning mode, the necessary variations may be introduced with respect to what has been previously stated, in order to comply with the syllabus envisaged and set out in the Syllabus.

The learning assessment may also be conducted electronically, should the conditions require it.

As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specific needs.

It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration - Disability and/or DSA Services) contact person in our Department, Professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angeli

Required Prerequisites

None

Attendance of Lessons

Not compulsory but highly recommended

Detailed Course Content

A1. Definitions of territory 

A2. Space and economic theory  

A3. The homogeneous, nodal and planning region models  

 A4. Principles of agglomeration, spatial competition, spatial interaction, hierarchy, and spatial competitiveness 

 A5. Principal theories on the location of productive activities 

A6. Prevailing trends in the location of productive activities 

 A7. Main theories of regional economic development 

A8. The use of indicators in the socio-economic analysis of the territory: choice and development of indicators

A9. Territory and human settlement. Population and demographic structure

A10. Indicators on labour, social stratification and education 

A11. The local economic system: agriculture, industry and tertiary sector 

A12 Well-being and quality of life  

A13 Models and measures of income inequality 

A14. Decision aid models and applications

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The course aims to provide the basic elements of the dynamics of the biotechnology supply chain and of policies aimed at supporting the potential of scientific discoveries in the activities of the biotechnology enterprise.

In relation to the Dublin descriptors, the course is structured as follows:

1) Knowledge and understanding

The course is designed to provide participants with an accurate knowledge of the regulation of agricultural products resulting from the use of biotechnology in the European Union, addressing a number of issues related to biodiversity, the environment and human health. It is also intended to provide knowledge of the specificities of the biotech enterprise in a supply chain perspective, with particular reference to the role played by networks for innovation

2) Applying knowledge and understanding

At the end of this course, the student will be able to understand: a) the current economic landscape of biotechnology and the regulatory situation of biotechnological products in the European Union; b) the history of biotechnological innovation; c) the specific features of the sector that favour the development trajectories of biotechnological supply chains; d) the configuration of networks in the biotechnology industry; e) the political debate on biotechnology and the production of transgenic organisms in agriculture; f) the debate in the international scientific literature concerning biotechnological innovations. In addition, students will acquire practical and theoretical knowledge regarding: i) the management of group activities, the presentation of content in a critical form, the activation of reflection a decision-making process from the discussion of case studies; h) the conducting of surveys and the development of questionnaires to gauge opinions on biotechnological innovations

3) Making judgements

 Students will acquire sufficient capacity for a critical analysis on public policies concerning biotechnological innovations. Furthermore, they will be able to problematise the analysis of biotechnology supply chain structures.

 4) Communication skills

Students will develop the ability to use team working tools appropriately, to write reports on individual and group activities related to relevant work contexts, to discuss current issues arising from the use and commercialisation of biotechnology products using appropriate language.

5) Learning skills

The course will contribute to the development of skills in autonomous analysis, in-depth research through the reading of scientific articles also in English, consultation of specific databases and other information on the web to address issues encountered in the professional field


Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Use of population and territory indicators

Main schools of thought of multi-criteria analysis

Poverty thresholds  

Location theories